The circulating endothelial cells (CEC) in healthy volunteers and surgical patients before and after operations were counted. The results showed that CEC counts of the patients were much higher than those of the volunteers. After operation, however, patients' CEC counts returned to control levels. It is suggested that detection of CEC may be useful for quantitatively evaluation of the injury to blood vessels in surgical patients. The operation may not only remove the source of injury, it also eliminates the injured microvascular bed which may be important to maintain homeostasis. Another possible interpretation of the results may be related to time lag and mental stress.

Department of Traumatology Daping Hospital Chongqing People's Republic of China