RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the changes of perioperative serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and cortisol, as well as gastric intramucosal pH (pHi) and plasma lactate, aiming to compare systemic changes and tissue perfusion during colorectal and orthopaedic surgical procedures.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty patients were randomly assigned to two groups, 10 cases of operation on vertebral canal, 10 cases of colorectal radical operation. Venous blood was drawn at 1 day before operation, 2, 4, and 6 hours following skin incision, and 1 day after operation, in order to measure serum IL-6, CRP, and cortisol. pHi and plasma lactate were also measured at the same time points.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Serum concentrations of IL-6 and cortisol increased gradually following operation, reaching the peak value at 6 hours from the beginning of operation. CRP was not detectable until the first day after operation. Peak concentration of IL-6 had positive relationship with CRP. These variables changed more significantly in colorectal group than that in orthopaedic group (P < 0.05). pHi decreased gradually, reaching the lowest level at 4 hours from the beginning of operation, and to more extent in colorectal group than that in orthopaedic group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>IL-6 may reflect tissue damage more sensitively than CRP. Colorectal surgery might induce systemic disorder to more extent, in terms of immuno-endocrinal aspect as well as tissue perfusion, reflected with pHi.</p>
