Predictive value of interleukin-8 and granulocyte elastase in pulmonary complication after esophagectomy

Background: We investigated whether or not interleukin-8 (IL-8) and granulocyte elastase (GE) can be associated with pulmonary complication after esophagectomy (the most common cause of postoperative death). Methods: We measured serial changes in the IL-8 concentration and GE activity in the plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of 17 patients who had undergone esophagectomy, and examined the relationship between these mediators and postoperative pulmonary complication. Results: Pulmonary complication occurred in 6 patients (35%, Pneum+ group). Plasma IL-8 increased at the end of the surgery then decreased, but there was no significant difference between the Pneum+ group and the group without pulmonary complication (11[65%], Pneum− group). IL-8 and GE in BALF were significantly higher in the Pneum+ group than in the Pneum− group on days 1 and 3 after the operation. There was a significant and positive correlation between IL-8 and GE in BALF. Conclusions: Our results indicate that IL-8 and GE in BALF may be useful for the prediction of postoperative pulmonary complication.