Complement activation and interleukin response in major abdominal surgery.

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether major abdominal surgery leads to complement activation and interleukin response and whether the kind of anaesthesia influence complement activation and the release of inflammatory interleukins. The study design was prospective and randomised. Fifty patients undergoing open major colorectal surgery due to cancer disease or inflammatory bowel disease were studied. Twenty-five patients were given total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) with propofol and remifentanil, and 25 patients were given inhalational anaesthesia with sevoflurane and fentanyl. To determine complement activation (C3a and SC5b-9) and the release of pro- and anti-inflammatory interleukins (tumour necrosis factor-a (TNF-a)), interleukin-1b (IL-1b), IL-6, IL-8, IL-4 and IL-10), blood samples were drawn preoperatively, 60 minutes after start of surgery, 30 minutes after end of surgery and 24 hours postoperatively. Complement was activated and pro-inflammatory interleukins (IL-6 and IL-8) and anti-inflammatory interleukins (IL-10) were released during major colorectal surgery. There was no significant difference between TIVA and inhalational anaesthesia regarding complement activation and cytokine release. Major colorectal surgery leads to activation of the complement cascade and the release of both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. There are no significant differences between total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) with propofol and remifentanil and inhalational anaesthesia with sevoflurane and fentanyl regarding complement activation and the release of pro- and anti-inflammatory interleukins.

Inflammatory response in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery: the effect of two different anesthetic techniques.

BACKGROUND: Anesthesia during surgery often induces an inflammatory response. The aim of this study was to establish and compare differences in inflammatory response among colorectal cancer surgery patients receiving either total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with propofol and remifentanil or inhalational anesthesia (INHAL) with sevoflurane and fentanyl. METHODS: After randomization, we included fifty consecutive patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery in our study. TIVA patients received total intravenous anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil, while INHAL patients received inhalation anesthesia with sevoflurane in O2/air and fentanyl. Plasma concentrations of IL-8, IL-17, MPO, ICAM-1, V-CAM and L-selectin were quantified. Blood loss, body temperature and blood glucose levels were measured in patients both before and after surgery. RESULTS: In both groups, levels of IL-8, MPO, ICAM-1 and L-selectin decreased 60 min after the start of surgery (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively) and 30 min post-surgery (P<0.05 for both groups). In the INHAL group, V-CAM levels were significantly lower 60 min after the start of surgery (P<0.01) and 30 min post-surgery (P<0.05). At 24 h post-surgery, V-CAM levels were significantly higher in both groups (P<0.01), while IL-17 levels significantly increased only in the INHAL group (P<0.05). Higher blood glucose levels were also observed in the INHAL group compared to that in the TIVA group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: TIVA with propofol and remifentanil and INHAL with sevoflurane and fentanyl induced similar inflammatory responses during colorectal cancer surgery. We found that IL-17 cytokine levels were higher in patients anesthetized with sevoflurane and fentanyl.

Plasma concentration of procalcitonin and systemic inflammatory response syndrome after colorectal surgery.

BACKGROUND: To study whether plasma concentrations of procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), complement 3a (C3a), C-reactive protein and white blood cell count (WBC) correlate with the presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) during the early post-operative period after major colorectal surgery. METHODS: Prospective, observational study during the first 24 h post-operatively. The setting for the study was the operating theatre and the recovery unit at the university hospital. Fifty consecutive patients, operated on electively with major resection of the large bowel or rectum. PCT levels increased significantly to the maximum level 18 h postoperatively. PCT levels were significantly higher in the SIRS group in comparison to the non-SIRS group of patients 6 and 12 h after surgery (P < 0.05). The IL-6 levels were increased directly after the surgery and then decreased gradually in both study groups. Twenty-four hours after the surgery, C3a levels decreased and then returned to normal levels. Twenty-four hours post-operatively, patients with SIRS had a higher plasma concentration of C3a compared with patients without SIRS (P < 0.05). CRP and WBC increased during the study period in both groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: During the early post-operative period after uncomplicated major abdominal surgery, SIRS was reflected by the increase in plasma PCT and C3a concentrations. IL-6, CRP and WBC increased to the same extend in both the SIRS and the non-SIRS group of patients.