Interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels in the monitoring of surgical trauma. A comparison of serum IL-6 concentrations in patients treated by cholecystectomy via laparotomy or laparoscopy.

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is involved in the processes of inflammation and tissue repair. We have been looking for the correlation between IL-6 concentration in patient's serum and the other factors related to the gravity of surgical trauma. Out of 25 patients with acute cholecystitis, 11 were randomly selected for laparoscopic cholecystectomy and the other 14 for open (laparotomic) cholecystectomy. The diagnostic and prognostic factors, age, and duration of disease did not differ significantly in either group. IL-6 serum levels were monitored by using commercially available ELISA tests throughout 72 h following the surgery. In patients who underwent laparoscopy, average IL-6 serum levels were significantly (up to fourfold) lower than in their laparotomy-treated counterparts, and the monitoring of IL-6 serum levels seems to be useful in the evaluation of the extent of trauma caused by surgery.