Knowing the dynamics of
growth factor and
cytokine secretion within the site of a surgical operation is important, as they play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of wound healing and are a target for modifying the repair response. The aim of this study was to evaluate the production of several
cytokines and
growth factors in the drainage
wound fluid from patients undergoing
incisional hernia repair: namely,
interleukin (IL)-6,
IL-10, IL-1alpha,
IL-1 ra,
interferon-gamma,
vascular endothelial growth factors and
basic fibroblast growth factor. Ten female patients with abdominal midline
incisional hernia undergoing surgical repair were included in this study. In all cases, a closed-suction drain was inserted in the
wound below the fascia and removed on postoperative day 4.
Wound fluid was collected on postoperative days 1-4 and the amount was recorded each time.
Growth factors and
cytokines production was evaluated as the whole amount produced over a 24-hour period. In all patients, the amount of drain fluid from
surgical wounds was more copious the first day after surgery, it decreased significantly afterward. The presence of all
cytokines was highest on postoperative day 1, decreasing over the following days. More specifically, the production of
IL-1 ra,
IL-6, IL-1alpha, and
IL-10 on postoperative day 1 fell sharply on postoperative days 3 and 4, whereas, after an initial reduction,
interferon-gamma showed an increase from day 2 onward. Vascular endothelial-derived
growth factor production increased progressively after the operation reaching statistical significance only on day 4. As for
basic fibroblast growth factor, it showed an opposite pattern: it was higher on postoperative day 1 decreasing thereafter. This analysis of
cytokine and
growth factor production in the drain fluid will lead us to a better evaluation of the events that follow a
surgical wound and to a better understanding of the healing process.