Effect of Remifentanil Combined Anesthesia on Cytokines and Oxidative Stress in Patients undergoing Laparoscopic Surgery for Colon Cancer.

Objective: To investigate the effect of remifentanil combined anesthesia on serum cytokines and oxidative stress indices in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer.

Study Design: Experimental study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Department of Anesthesiology, Yuhuangding Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Yantai, China, from May 2016 to March 2018.

Methodology: A total of 154 patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer were randomly divided into control group and observation group, with 77 cases in each group. Control group received fentanyl combined anesthesia, and observation group received remifentanil combined anesthesia. Levels of serum cytokines IL-8, IL-6, CRP, TNF- α and the levels of oxidative stress indices SOD, MDA, CAT, and GSH on the first day after operation were compared. Occurrence of adverse reactions during anesthesia recovery was observed and recorded in both groups.

Results: On the first day after surgery, levels of serum cytokines IL-8, IL-6, CRP, TNF- α and MDA in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (all p<0.001); levels of serum SOD, GSH, and CAT in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (all p<0.001). The frequency of adverse reactions such as nausea and vomiting, chills, restlessness, cough, and tachycardia in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (p=0.029, 0.016, 0.009, 0.025, and 0.003, respectively).

Conclusion: Compared with fentanyl combined anesthesia, the remifentanil combined anesthesia can significantly reduce serum levels of cytokines IL-8, IL-6, CRP, TNF- α and oxidative stress level, and is, therefore, more secure for patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer.