Preoperative lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio predicts postoperative infectious complications after laparoscopic...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Surgical Oncology
• Inflammation Biomarkers

Background:

• Postoperative infectious complications (POI) are a significant concern in minimally invasive colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery, impacting hospital stay, costs, and survival.
• Inflammation-based scores, particularly the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), have emerged as potential predictors of long-term outcomes in CRC patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) as a predictor of short-term postoperative infectious complications (POI) following laparoscopic colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery.
• To investigate the association between preoperative LMR and the occurrence of POI in patients undergoing CRC resection.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study of 211 patients who underwent laparoscopic CRC surgery.
• Patients were categorized into groups with and without POI.
• Inflammation-based scores (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, LMR) were analyzed; receiver operating characteristic curve analysis determined the LMR cutoff point.

Main Results:

• Low LMR (cutoff 3.46) was identified as an independent predictor of POI (Odds ratio 5.61, P=0.001), alongside long operative time and smoking.
• Patients with a low LMR exhibited more advanced and aggressive tumors.
• Multivariate analysis confirmed LMR as a significant predictor of POI.

Conclusions:

• This study is the first to demonstrate that a lower lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) is a predictive factor for postoperative infectious complications (POI) after laparoscopic CRC surgery.
• Preoperative LMR assessment may offer valuable insights for treatment decisions aimed at preventing POI.
• The findings highlight the potential utility of LMR in risk stratification for patients undergoing minimally invasive CRC surgery.