Perioperative Changes of Plasma TNF-α, IL-6 in Patients Undergoing Upper Abdominal Operation

Objective\ To investigate the perioperative chaneges of plasma levels of necrosis factor α(TNF α) and interleukin 6 (IL 6). Methods\ Thirty patients undergoing upper abdominal operations were randomly divied into epidural blockade (EB) group and intravenous procaine balanced anesthesia (IPBA) group. The plasma levels of TNF α and IL 6 were monitored perioperatively. Results\ There were no significant changes in TNF α in both groups during or after operation. But plasma IL 6 levels on the first postoperative day were significantly higher than that before induction of anesthesia in both groups [EB:(0 39±0 07) vs (0 28±0 07) ng/ml, P<0.05; IPBA:(0 42±0 07) vs (0.27±0.08) ng/ml, P<0.05]. Conclusion\ The results suggest that IL 6 is a cytokine more active than TNF α after upper abdominal operation. Surgical stress might be a more important stimulator for IL 6 release.