Prognostic value of IL-6 and IL-10 serum levels and immunonutrional assessment in determining postoperative complications after geriatric surgery

The onset of postoperative septic complications has recently been associated to serum levels of interleukin (IL) IL-6 and IL-10. Patients with complications have higher serum levels than patients without complication after surgery. IL-6 has been recognized as early marker of postoperative septic events. Furthermore IL-6 increases with age, expecially if there are associated diseases. It is a sign of functional deterioration of different organs. The disregulation in interleukin production, anesthetic drugs, hemorrhage and transfusions may lead to the onset of postoperative complications. The latter are more frequent in oncologic patients. The aim of our study is to evaluate pre- and postoperative profile of some inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-10 and Creactive protein CRP) and immunonutritional assessment (through albumin serum levels and lymphocyte count) in a group of elderly patients undergone to major intrabdominal surgery. We related the data obtained to the onset of postoperative complications.