Several studies show cytokine concentrations in the peripheral blood are associated with inflammatory activity and surgical trauma. Cytokine concentrations have more rapid increase and quicker return to normal values than either C-reactive protein or erythrocyte sedimentation rate - a matter of hours rather than weeks; some studies suggest they are better predictors of postoperative infection than C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Threshold levels of interleukin-6 after joint arthroplasty have been determined, but levels of other potentially useful cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-8, interleukin-10, etc) are not known. We measured the serum levels of 25 different cytokines before and after hip and knee arthroplasties and identified those associated with surgical trauma. Peripheral venous blood samples (one preoperative and three postoperative) from 49 patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty were analyzed by laser chromatography. Three of the 25 cytokines had a relationship with postsurgical trauma, which included one deep infection. Serum levels of these three cytokines might be useful to identify periprosthetic infections during the early postoperative period when C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate remain elevated. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prognostic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
