The cytokines IL-1beta and IL-1 receptor antagonist, IL-2 and IL-2 soluble receptor-alpha, IL-6 and IL-6 soluble receptor, TNF-alpha and TNF soluble receptor I, and IL10 in drained and systemic blood after major orthopaedic surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the concentration of the cytokines interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and the modulators of their function interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), interleukin-2 soluble receptor alpha (IL-2 sRalpha), interleukin-6 soluble receptor (IL-6sR) and soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor I (sTNFR-I) in systemic and drained blood for the first six hours after a major orthopaedic operation. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: University hospital, Oslo. PATIENTS: 8 patients operated on for thoracic scoliosis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Concentrations of IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha, IL-1Ra, IL-2 sRalpha , IL-6sR, and sTNFR-I were measured together with haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, white cell count (WCC), and differential count in arterial and drained blood at wound closure and 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: IL-1beta and IL-6 concentrations increased significantly in drained blood, whereas that of TNF-alpha increased only in arterial blood. The modulating factors IL-1Ra, sTNFR-I, and IL-10 were increased both in arterial and drained blood. IL-6sR had decreased slightly at 6 hours in drained blood. No IL-2 was found and IL-2 sRalpha decreased simultaneously with the haemodilution. In arterial blood there was a granulocytosis and in drained blood a relative lymphocytosis. CONCLUSION: Cytokine responses to surgical trauma include modulating factors such as soluble receptors and receptor antagonists that have different responses systemically and locally.