Limits of peritoneal cytokine measurements during abdominal lavage treatment for intraabdominal sepsis

Background: Monitoring of peritoneal cytokine concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α was recommended for early detection of severe postoperative complications. In the present study the clinical application of cytokine monitoring was examined in the treatment course of severe peritonitis. Methods: Nineteen patients with secondary peritonitis were followed up during 75 abdominal lavages. Serum and peritoneal interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-10 and TNF-α were measured before the surgical intervention, after 1 hour, 3 hours, 6 hours, and 24 hours. Additionally, cardiorespiratory parameters, osmolarity, C-reactive protein, and total leucocyte count were recorded. Results: Serum and peritoneal cytokine concentrations did not correlate to each other as well as to the observed cardiorespiratory parameters. Peritoneal cytokine concentrations were 10- to 1000-fold higher to serum concentrations and showed an intermittent wash out. There were no differences in determined cytokine concentrations between survivors and nonsurvivors Conclusions: Once elevated, peritoneal cytokine measurements offer no new diagnostic or prognostic tool in abdominal lavage peritonitis treatment.