Evaluation of inflammatory response in patients undergoing surgical treatment for early and delayed femoral fractures

INTRODUCTION: It has been shown that long bone fractures are correlated with the inflammatory response. In the initial injury, surgical reduction and fixation of fractures induce the immunoinflammatory response. This study aimed to evaluate serum variation of inflammatory markers in patients undergoing surgical treatment for early and delayed femoral fractures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study aimed to evaluate serum variation of inflammatory markers in patients undergoing surgical treatment for early and delayed femoral fractures. The patients were randomly divided into two groups using the method of block randomization including early surgery (within 24 h) and delayed surgery (after 48 h). Serum levels of inflammatory markers in both groups including interleukin (IL)-1, 5, 6, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interferon γ (IFN-γ) were determined using specific kits. From each patient 10 ml blood was collected for cytokine assay in their serum. RESULTS: Our findings suggest that serum levels of IL-8 were markedly decreased from 12 h until 48 h postoperatively (p < 0.05). Moreover, the results indicated that serum levels of TNF-α were significantly increased in the early hours, but after 48 h a decreasing trend was detected (p < 0.05). Furthermore, serum levels of IL-10, IFN-γ, and IL-6 were significantly increased from 12 h until 48 h postoperatively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The inflammatory status of the patient may be a useful adjunct in clinical decisions. With an improved understanding of the molecular basis of the inflammatory response, and by identifying relevant clinical markers of inflammation, surgeons can better manage the timing of surgical stabilization.