Background/aims: Postoperative pulmonary complications are often fatal in patients with esophageal cancer. The aim of this study was to clarify the association between cytokines and temporary ventilation during one-lung ventilation.
Methodology: Serum and BALF IL-6, 8 were measured in 39 patients with esophageal cancer, and the relationship between cytokine response and temporary ventilation during one-lung ventilation in esophagectomy was examined.
Results: Pulmonary complications did not occur in our patients. Serum IL-6 levels were significantly increased in the high one-lung ventilation ratio and long-term one-lung ventilation groups. Serum IL-6 levels in the one or more times ventilation group during one-lung ventilation were significantly low compared to the no-ventilation group. There were no significant differences in serum IL-8 and BALF IL-6, 8 levels.
Conclusions: Our results indicate that it is important to ventilate one or more times during one-lung ventilation in order to reduce postoperative pulmonary complications.