Interferon-gamma and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid after oesophagectomy

Activated polymorphonuclear leucocytes play a pivotal role in pulmonary complications after oesophagectomy. A lot of inflammatory mediators including interferon-gamma and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor are reported to modify the life span of polymorphonuclear leucocytes.

In this study we investigated whether interferon-gamma and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor are associated with pulmonary complications after oesophagectomy.

We measured interferon-gamma and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of 37 patients who had undergone oesophagectomy and examined the relationship between these mediators and pulmonary complications.

Pulmonary complications occurred in nine patients (24%, Pneum(+)). There was no significant difference in age, gender, preoperative comorbid conditions, tumour stage, operation method, operating time or blood loss between the Pneum(+) group and another 28 patients(Pneum(-)). Days until extubation were significantly increased in the Pneum(+) group than in the Pneum(-) group. Interferon-gamma (on postoperative day 2) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (on postoperative days 1-3) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were significantly increased in the Pneum(+) group than in the Pneum(-) group and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor was significantly correlated with days until extubation.

Our results indicate that bronchoalveolar lavage fluid granulocyte colony-stimulating factor is associated with respiratory conditions after oesophagectomy and assaying it can be useful for predicting pulmonary complications.