Methods: Thirty-seven patients (23 males, 14 females; mean age 53.9 years; range 44 to 72 years) undergoing thoracotomy for lung resection were included. Serum procalcitonin, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) concentrations were measured at baseline and on the first, fifth and seventh day following surgery. Demographic data, reasons for thoracotomy, type of lung resection, duration of surgery, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complications were recorded.

Results: Serum concentrations of procalcitonin, IL-6, and TNF-a after surgery were significantly higher compared to the preoperative values. Patients with postoperative complications had approximately a three-fold elevation in procalcitonin levels at postoperative days one and five, and a two-fold elevation in IL-6 levels at postoperative day seven, compared to patients without pulmonary complications. The procalcitonin levels on postoperative days one and five and IL-6 levels on postoperative day seven were significantly different between the groups with and without postoperative complications.

Conclusion: An elevated procalcitonin level on postoperative day one is a promising early marker of postoperative complications. Elevated concentrations of procalcitonin, IL-6, and TNF-a in the postoperative period are markers of the severity of surgical injury. These findings may contribute to alert us and make further examinations.