Utility of total cell-free DNA levels for surgical damage evaluation in patients with urological surgeries

The evaluation of surgical damage is challenging because of the lack of specific biomarkers. Total cell-free DNA (cfDNA) levels have been reported to increase with external trauma and may be a biomarker for tissue damage. To investigate the utility of perioperative total cfDNA levels in evaluating surgical damage in urological surgeries. This multicenter, prospective, observational study included 196 patients scheduled for urological surgeries between September 2020 and July 2021. The primary outcome was the change in total cfDNA levels before and after urological surgery. The secondary outcome was the effect of surgical type on total cfDNA ratio before and after urological surgery. The postoperative median total cfDNA level of the 196 patients was significantly increased 2.5-fold compared to the preoperative level (185.2 ng/mL vs. 406.7 ng/mL, P < 0.001). The median total cfDNA before/after ratio was greater than four-fold for kidney transplantation, open cystectomy, and open adrenalectomy. The ratio was less than two-fold for laparoscopic adrenalectomy and robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Major surgery showed a significant postoperative increase in total cfDNA levels, while minor surgery did not. Total cfDNA levels increased 2.5-fold after urological surgery and it can be used as an acute-phase biomarker for surgical damage.