[Diagnostic value of interleukin-6 level during the post-operative period]

IL-6, CRP, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and leukocytes were evaluated in 82 patients after planned surgery. In 60 patients the postoperative period was uneventful, while 22 developed purulent complications which eventuated in death in 6 cases. The authors show the diagnostic significance of evaluating IL-6 level for predicting the development of purulent complications during the postoperative period and their severity. Measurement of IL-6 is valuable for assessing the results of treatment of patients with bacterial shock.