Pain and Analgesic Doses Versus Free Interleukin 18 (IL-18F) Blood Levels Following Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Study of Patients With Minilaparotomy Cholecystectomy Versus Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.
Matti Eskelinen, Viivi Kuosmanen, Tuomas Selander et al.
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In 30 seconds
This prospective randomized study compared patients undergoing laparoscopic or minilaparotomy cholecystectomy, examining perioperative blood levels of IL-18, IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP), free IL-18 (IL-18F), and other cytokines alongside pain scores and analgesic use. IL-18F increased after surgery, with levels rising from 632 to 739 between PRE and POP2 (p <0.01). IL-18F and IL-18BP levels were also significantly correlated with numerical rating scale pain scores and the number of analgesic doses, although the reported correlations were modest.
Key findings
- IL-18F increased from 632 to 739 between PRE and POP2 (p <0.01).
- IL-18F correlated with NRS pain scores (r=-0.16, p =0.02) and number of analgesic doses (r=-0.20, p =0.016).
- IL-18BP correlated with NRS pain scores (r=0.17, p =0.02) and number of analgesic doses (r=-0.16, p =0.05).
Why it matters
The findings link postoperative inflammatory markers with pain scores and analgesic use after cholecystectomy, suggesting a relationship between the acute-phase response and postoperative pain. The correlations are modest and do not establish that these cytokines cause pain or determine analgesic requirements, but they may inform further study of biological markers associated with recovery after surgical trauma.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not report the sample size or provide details of follow-up timing beyond PRE and POP2. The reported associations do not establish causality.