Reduction of oxidative stress a key for enhanced postoperative recovery with fewer complications in esophageal surgery patients: Randomized control trial to investigate therapeutic impact of anesthesia management and usefulness of simple blood test for prediction of high-risk patients

Low- versus standard- pneumoperitoneum in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a randomised, triple-blinded study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effectiveness and impact of low-pressure pneumoperitoneum (Pnp) on postoperative quality of recovery (QoR) and surgical workspace (SWS) in patients with prostate cancer undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A randomised, triple-blinded trial was conducted in a single centre in Denmark from March 2021 to January 2022. A total of 98 patients with prostate cancer undergoing RARP were randomly assigned to either low-pressure Pnp (7 mmHg) or standard-pressure Pnp (12 mmHg). Co-primary outcomes were postoperative QoR measured via the QoR-15 questionnaire on postoperative Day 1 (POD1), POD3, POD14, and POD30, and SWS assessed intraoperatively by a blinded assessor (surgeon) via a validated SWS scale. Data analysis was performed according to the intention-to-treat principle.

RESULTS

Patients who underwent RARP at low Pnp pressure demonstrated better postoperative QoR on POD1 (mean difference = 10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.4-15.5), but no significant differences were observed in the SWS (mean difference = 0.25, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.54). Patients allocated to low-pressure Pnp experienced statistically higher blood loss than those in the standard-pressure Pnp group (mean difference = 67 mL, P = 0.01). Domain analysis revealed significant improvements in pain (P = 0.001), physical comfort (P = 0.007), and emotional state (P = 0.006) for patients with low-pressure Pnp. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04755452, on 16/02/2021.

CONCLUSION

Performing RARP at low Pnp pressure is feasible without compromising the SWS and improves postoperative QoR, including pain, physical comfort, and emotional state, compared to the standard pressure.

Implementation of the Esophagectomy Complication Consensus Group definitions: the benefits of speaking the same language

In 2015 the Esophagectomy Complication Consensus Group (ECCG) reported consensus definitions for complications after esophagectomy. This aimed to reduce variation in complication reporting, attributed to heterogeneous definitions. This systematic review aimed to describe the implementation of this definition set, including the effect on complication frequency and variation. A systematic literature review was performed, identifying all observational and randomized studies reporting complication frequencies after esophagectomy since the ECCG publication. Recruitment periods before and subsequent to the index ECCG publication date were included. Coefficients of variance were calculated to assess outcome heterogeneity. Of 144 studies which met inclusion criteria, 70 (48.6%) used ECCG definitions. The median number of separately reported complication types was five per study; only one study reported all ECCG complications. The coefficients of variance of the reported frequencies of eight of the 10 most common complications were reduced in studies which used the ECCG definitions compared with those that did not (P = 0.036). Among ECCG studies, the frequencies of postoperative pneumothorax, reintubation, and pulmonary emboli were significantly reduced in 2020-2021, compared with 2015-2019 (P = 0.006, 0.034, and 0.037 respectively). The ECCG definition set has reduced variation in esophagectomy morbidity reporting. This adds greater confidence to the observed gradual improvement in outcomes with time, and its ongoing use and wider dissemination should be encouraged. However, only a handful of outcomes are widely reported, and only rarely is it used in its entirety.

Selective biomarkers for inflammation and infection are associated with post-operative complications following transperineal template prostate biopsy (TTPB): a single-centre observational clinical pilot-study

Background

Prostate cancer (PCa) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are the most common prostate disorders in the UK, which cause considerable ill health in older men. Transperineal template prostate biopsy (TTPB) has emerged as a reliable procedure for the histopathological diagnosis of PCa and BPH due to its higher cancer detection rates. Although antiseptic preparation and antibiotic prophylaxis are used to ensure safety in patients undergoing surgical intervention, post-operative complications, such as infection and bleeding are still unavoidable, resulting in re-admissions, with resource implications. Currently, there is no biomarker profile to predict outcomes or monitor patients during the post-operative course. The main aim of this single-centre observational clinical pilot-study was to investigate the role of inflammatory and infection biomarkers following TTPB and their association with post-operative complications.

Methods

Forty-five patients scheduled for elective TTPB were recruited after informed consent at the Wrexham Maelor and Glan Clwyd Hospitals, North Wales, UK (n = 45). Prior to surgery, venous blood samples were collected at baseline and subsequently at 30, 120, and 240 min post-operatively. Urine samples were collected before and 120 min after the procedure. Serum procalcitonin (PCT), serum ferritin, and urine B₂MG analysis were done using enzyme-linked fluorescent assay (ELFA) and the magnetic Luminex^® multiplex performance assay was used to analyse IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-α plasma concentrations. Data on clinical outcomes were collected from patients’ medical records.

Results

Following TTPB, significant (p ≤ 0.05) increases were observed in uB₂MG, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-α. Significant decreases were observed in ferritin (p ≤ 0.05). No significant change was observed in PCT concentration (p ≥ 0.05). One patient developed an infection and severe haematuria post-operatively following TTPB.

Conclusion

Although not confirmative, changes seen in biomarkers such as uB₂MG, IL-10 and TNF-α in our observational clinical pilot-study may warrant further investigation, involving larger cohorts, to fully understand the role of these biomarkers and their potential association with post-operative complications such as infection and bleeding which can develop following TTPB for the diagnosis of PCa and BPH.

A mini-review of the effects of inhalational and intravenous anesthetics on oxidative stress in dogs

General anesthesia increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can exacerbate or increase oxidative stress and thus affect the prognosis of surgical procedures. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the development of cardiovascular, dermatologic, oncologic, and other diseases in dogs, as well as ischemia and reperfusion injury. Some anesthetics, such as halogenated anesthetics, have been shown to stimulate the production of ROS, while others, such as propofol, have antioxidant properties. However, the antioxidant effects of these anesthetics may not be sufficient to counteract oxidative damage at the doses used clinically. Nevertheless, the effects of anesthetics should be considered to minimize oxidative damage during anesthesia in dogs to improve the outcome of procedures requiring general anesthesia. This mini-review addresses the current knowledge on oxidative stress during inhalational and intravenous anesthesia in dogs. There is still a lack of information on the management of anesthesia in dogs with respect to oxidative stress. Further research, including comprehensive clinical studies is needed to better understand oxidative injury mechanisms and improve perioperative protocols during anesthesia in dogs.

Inhalation anaesthesia compared with total intravenous anaesthesia and postoperative complications in colorectal cancer surgery: an observational registry-based study†

BACKGROUND

Postoperative complications are common after colorectal surgery, and possibly related to the type of anaesthesia. We aimed to determine associations between the type of anaesthesia and complications after colorectal cancer surgery using Danish registries.

METHODS

Patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery (2004-18) were identified in the Danish Colorectal Cancer Group Database. The cohort was enriched with the Danish Anaesthesia Database and Danish National Prescription Registry data linked by Danish Central Person Registration number. Patients were classified according to type of general anaesthesia: inhalation or TIVA. Confounders were adjusted by propensity score matching. The primary outcome was complications within 30 days postoperatively. Secondarily, we assessed specific medical and surgical complications.

RESULTS

We identified 22 179 individuals undergoing colorectal cancer surgery with accompanying anaesthesia data. Propensity score matching yielded 8722 individuals per group. After propensity score matching, postoperative complications were seen in 1933 (22.2%) patients undergoing inhalation anaesthesia and in 2199 (25.2%) undergoing TIVA (odds ratio [OR]=0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79-0.91). Although no difference was observed for medical complications, 1369 (15.7%) undergoing inhalation anaesthesia had surgical complications compared with 1708 (19.6%) undergoing TIVA (OR=0.76; 95% CI, 0.71-0.83). Rates of wound dehiscence, anastomotic leak, ileus, wound abscess, intra-abdominal abscess, and sepsis were statistically significantly lower in the inhalation anaesthesia group.

CONCLUSION

In this propensity score-matched registry study, use of inhalation anaesthesia was associated with fewer postoperative complications after colorectal cancer surgery than use of TIVA. Inhalation anaesthesia was associated with fewer complications related to wound healing and surgical infections.

Neonatal Anesthesia and Oxidative Stress

Neonatal anesthesia, while often essential for surgeries or imaging procedures, is accompanied by significant risks to redox balance in the brain due to the relatively weak antioxidant system in children. Oxidative stress is characterized by concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are elevated beyond what can be accommodated by the antioxidant defense system. In neonatal anesthesia, this has been proposed to be a contributing factor to some of the negative consequences (e.g., learning deficits and behavioral abnormalities) that are associated with early anesthetic exposure. In order to assess the relationship between neonatal anesthesia and oxidative stress, we first review the mechanisms of action of common anesthetic agents, the key pathways that produce the majority of ROS, and the main antioxidants. We then explore the possible immediate, short-term, and long-term pathways of neonatal-anesthesia-induced oxidative stress. We review a large body of literature describing oxidative stress to be evident during and immediately following neonatal anesthesia. Moreover, our review suggests that the short-term pathway has a temporally limited effect on oxidative stress, while the long-term pathway can manifest years later due to the altered development of neurons and neurovascular interactions.

Association between anesthesia technique and complications after hip surgery in the elderly population

BACKGROUND

Spinal anesthesia is superior to general anesthesia for postoperative recovery in older patients (≥ 65 age). However, evidence for this is lacking.

AIM

To evaluate the effect of anesthesia on postoperative complications in older patients undergoing hip surgery.

METHODS

This is a retrospective, propensity score-matched, cohort study. Patients ≥ 65-years-old who underwent hip surgery at the Traditional Chinese Medicine of Guangdong Provincial Hospital in China from October 2016 to June 2020 were included. The operative methods were femoral fracture’s internal fixation and hip replacement. The orthopedic doctors in different hospitals of our group have varied requirements for patients’ out-of-bed time after surgery. Therefore, spinal anesthesia or general anesthesia was selected according to the requirements of the orthopedic doctors. The primary outcome of this study was complications during the hospitalization of the postoperative patient. The length of hospital stay, postoperative blood transfusion, routine blood analysis, renal function, coagulation function, and inflammatory correlations were secondary outcomes. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed utilizing logistic regression.

RESULTS

Among the 864 patients identified from the electronic medical record data database, we screened out those with incomplete medical record data. After PSM of the baseline values of the two groups of patients, data of 309 patients (206 patients in spinal anesthesia group and 103 patients in general anesthesia) were utilized in this study. 67/309 patients had complications, including postoperative limb dysfunction, pulmonary infection, delirium, lower extremity venous thrombosis, and shock. The incidence of complications was not related to anesthesia methods (P > 0.05), but the levels of D-Dimer (P = 0.017), fibrinogen (P = 0.005), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) (P = 0.002) in the spinal anesthesia group were significantly higher than those in the general anesthesia group.

CONCLUSION

Anesthesia technology is not a risk factor for postoperative complications of hip surgery. The levels of D-Dimer and hsCRP were higher in the spinal anesthesia group.

Anesthesia-Induced Oxidative Stress: Are There Differences between Intravenous and Inhaled Anesthetics?

Agents used for the induction of anesthesia have been shown to either promote or mitigate oxidative stress. A fine balance between the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants is crucial for the proper normal functioning of the cell. A basal concentration of ROS is essential for the manifestation of cellular functions, whereas disproportionate levels of ROS cause damage to cellular macromolecules such as DNA, lipids, and proteins, eventually leading to necrosis and apoptosis. Increased ROS has been linked with numerous illnesses, such as cardiovascular, immune system, liver, and kidney, and has been shown to promote cancer and accelerate aging. Knowledge of the various pharmacologic agents that increase or reduce oxidative stress may promote a safer way of inducing anesthesia. Furthermore, surgery itself leads to increased ROS production and ischemia/reperfusion injury. Indeed, increased perioperative oxidative stress has been correlated with increased postoperative complications and prolonged recovery. Anesthesiologists care for patients during the whole spectrum of perioperative care and thus are in a unique position to deliver countermeasures to oxidative stress. Using preferentially an induction agent which reduces oxidative stress might lead to better clinical outcomes and fewer postoperative complications. Propofol has been shown in several studies to reduce oxidative stress, which reduces postoperative complications and leads to a faster recovery, and thus might represent the preferred induction agent in the right clinical setting.

Inhalational versus intravenous anesthetics during one lung ventilation in elective thoracic surgeries: A narrative review

The anesthesia regimen used during one lung ventilation (OLV) carry the potential to affect intra-operative course and post-operative outcomes, by its effects on pulmonary vasculature and alveolar inflammation. This narrative review aims to understand the pathophysiology of acute lung injury during one lung ventilation, and to study the effects of inhalational versus intravenous anaesthetics on intraoperative and post-operative outcomes, following thoracic surgery. For this purpose, we independently searched 'PubMed', 'Google Scholar' and 'Cochrane Central' databases to find out randomized controlled trials (RCTs), in English language, which compared the effects of intravenous versus inhalational anaesthetics on intraoperative and post-operative outcomes, in elective thoracic surgeries, in human beings. In total, 38 RCTs were included in this review. Salient results of the review are- Propofol reduced intraoperative shunt and maintained better intraoperative oxygenation than inhalational agents. However, use of modern inhalational anaesthetics during OLV reduced alveolar inflammation significantly, as compared to propofol. Regarding post-operative complications, the evidence is not conclusive enough but slightly in favour of inhalational anaesthetics. Thus, we conclude that modern inhalational anaesthetics, by their virtue of better anti-inflammatory properties, exhibit lung protective effects and hence, seem to be safe for maintenance of anesthesia during OLV in elective thoracic surgeries. Further research is required to establish the safety of these agents with respect to long term post-operative outcomes like cancer recurrence.

Perioperative Use of Glucocorticoids and Intraoperative Hypotension May Affect the Incidence of Postoperative Infection in Patients with Gastric Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background

In patients undergoing surgical resection for gastric cancer, postoperative complications—in particular, postoperative infections—remain an important problem and can result in delayed recovery and increased postoperative mortality.

Objective

To investigate the association between perioperative anesthesia management and postoperative infectious complications in patients undergoing resection for gastric cancer.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

A single-center study performed from April 1, 2015, to June 30, 2018, at Peking University Cancer Hospital.

Patients

Patients who underwent resection for gastric cancer.

Main Outcome Measures

Demographic information, perioperative data (including anesthesia-related data, surgery-related data, and cancer diagnosis), and information on postoperative recovery were recorded. The primary outcome was incidence of postoperative infection; the secondary outcome was length of hospital stay. The associations between perioperative factors and postoperative infectious complications were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression models and the classification tree method.

Results

A total of 880 patients were included in the study; of these, 111 (12.6%) had postoperative infectious complications during hospitalization, including 78 surgical site infections and 62 remote infections. After correction for confounding factors on logistic multivariable analysis, perioperative use of glucocorticoids was associated with a lower incidence of postoperative infection (hazard ratio 0.968, 95% confidence interval 0.939 to 0.997, P=0.029), and intraoperative systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg for >10 min was associated with a higher incidence of postoperative infection (hazard ratio 2.112, 95% confidence interval 1.174 to 3.801, P=0.013). In addition, older age, preoperative hypoproteinemia, and total gastrectomy were identified as independent predictors of postoperative infection.

Conclusion

For patients with gastric cancer, perioperative use of glucocorticoids and avoiding intraoperative hypotension may decrease the incidence of postoperative infectious complications.

Serum and Erythrocyte Antioxidant Defense in Colorectal Cancer Patients during Early Postoperative Period: Potential Modifiers and Impact on Clinical Outcomes

A better understanding of antioxidant status, its modifiers, and its effect on clinical outcomes in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery is needed for effective antioxidant-based interventions. The objectives of this cohort study were: to determine baseline serum (total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP); n = 72) and erythrocyte (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx); n = 47) antioxidant capacity and time-course during the 72 h postoperative period, to identify potential modifiers, and to establish impact on clinical outcomes. Older patients with comorbidities had lower baseline FRAP. TAC was inversely and SOD directly correlated with inflammatory markers. Cancer pathology affected GPx (lower in advanced and more aggressive cancers) and SOD (higher in advanced cancers). Surgical intervention induced a transient increase in FRAP and TAC with greater FRAP elevation in older, obese patients with several comorbidities. SOD activity significantly increased while GPx non-significantly decreased between 8 and 24 h post-incision. Poorer health status was associated with an increase in SOD and a decrease in GPx at 72 h. Clinical manifestation of postoperative ileus was preceded by decreased TAC at 24 h and an increase in SOD between 8 and 24 h and anastomotic leak was manifested by diminished SOD at 72 h compared to activities at 8 and 24 h. The time-frame between 8 and 24 h post-incision might be the most critical regarding oxidant/antioxidant balance and therefore the best suited for antioxidant-based intervention.

Urine 8-Hydroxyguanine (8-OHG) in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE

Cellular RNA is less compact than DNA, more easily accessible to ROS and therefore could be more susceptible to oxidative damage. This study was conceived in order to analyze the RNA oxidative damage in the urine of patients undergoing operation for colorectal cancer (CRC), to compare with healthy controls, and correlate with the stage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study population was constituted by a group of 147 patients and a group of 128 healthy controls. Urine and blood samples were collected before the colonoscopy in all participants and 24 hours post-operatively for those who underwent surgery. Urine 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OHG) was determined as marker of RNA oxidation, and serum uric acid (UA) as antioxidant marker.

RESULTS

Preoperatively, 8-OHG (ng/ml) values of CRC patients were found to be significantly higher than those of controls (p = 0.001). More specifically, stages II/III had significantly higher 8-OHG values (p < 0.001 and p = 0.007) than stages 0/I. Post-operatively, 8-OHG values were similar to controls (p = 0.053). Preoperatively, UA values (mg/dl) were significantly lower (p = 0.001), while postoperatively were similar to controls (p = 0.069).

CONCLUSION

Oxidative RNA damage occurs in CRC patients. Stages II/III are associated with higher values of 8-OHG than stages 0/I. 8-OHG could act as a marker for the identification of patients with advanced disease.

Prognostic significance of propofol-based intravenous anesthesia in early-stage lung cancer surgery

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to assess whether the anesthetic type is associated with the prognosis of pathological stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

Clinicopathological data from 431 consecutive patients who underwent lobectomy for NSCLC between 2010 and 2016 were collected. Patients were classified into groups according to the type of anesthesia: propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) or inhalation anesthesia (INHA). We investigated the prognostic differences between these two groups.

RESULTS

A total of 72 patients in the TIVA group and 158 patients in the INHA group were eligible for the analysis. Recurrence was observed in 4 (5.6%) patients in the TIVA group and 19 (12.0%) patients in the INHA group (P = 0.159), and all-cause death occurred in 4 (5.6%) patients in the TIVA group and 24 (15.2%) patients in the INHA group (P = 0.049). The 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival rates of the TIVA/INHA groups were 91.7%/77.4% and 94.4%/83.5%, respectively. TIVA was associated with a significantly better prognosis. A multivariable analysis of factors associated with RFS revealed that the type of anesthesia as a significant prognostic factor (P = 0.047).

CONCLUSION

Propofol-based TIVA was associated with a better prognosis in comparison to INHA in patients with surgically resected pathological stage I NSCLC.

Intra-arterial anti-oxidant power negatively correlates with white matter injury, and oxidative stress positively correlates with disability in daily activities

Oxidative stress influences many kinds of diseases. Our hypothesis is that oxidative stress and antioxidant potentials correlate with cognitive function, activities of daily life and white matter injury. (UMIN-CTR R000016770) Thirty-two consecutive patients participated to this study after informed consent. A routine biochemical analysis, modified-Rankin Scale (m-RS), revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale (HDS-R), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and fluid-attenuated-inversion-recovery imaging (FLAIR) were performed before admission. Derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) were measured photometrically using arterial blood. Statistical analyses were done by analysis variance or logistic regression analysis. Median age was 72 (IQR: 64.3 -- 75.8). The d-ROMS were 367 ± 55.4, and BAP was 1967 ± 284. HDS-R and m-RS deteriorated with d-ROMs elevation (p < 0.05). Uric acid and creatinine decreased with d-ROMs elevation (p < 0.05). Both periventricular hyperintensity grade and deep and subcortical white matter hyperintensity grade worsened with BAP reduction (p < 0.05). Oxidative stress correlates negatively with cognitive function and activities of daily life. Low antioxidative potentials correlate with aggravation of white matter injury. We should control both oxidative stress and antioxidative potential to maintain healthy lives.

Oxidative stress under general intravenous and inhalation anaesthesia

Oxidative stress occurs when reactive oxygen species (ROS) production overwhelms cell protection by antioxidants. This review is focused on general anaesthesia-induced oxidative stress because it increases the rate of complications and delays recovery after surgery. It is important to know what effects of anaesthetics to expect in terms of oxidative stress, particularly in surgical procedures with high ROS production, because their either additive or antagonistic effect may be pivotal for the outcome of surgery. In vitro and animal studies on this topic are numerous but show large variability. There are not many human studies and what we know has been learned from different surgical procedures measuring different endpoints in blood samples taken mostly before and after surgery. In these studies most intravenous anaesthetics have antioxidative properties, while volatile anaesthetics temporarily increase oxidative stress in longer surgical procedures.

New techniques and recommendations in the management of free flap surgery for head and neck defects in cancer patients

Free flap surgery is the gold standard surgical treatment for head and neck defects in cancer patients. Outcomes have improved considerably, probably due to recent advances in surgical techniques. In this article, we review improvements in the parameters traditionally used to optimize hematocrit levels and body temperature and to prevent vasoconstriction, and describe the use of cardiac output-guided fluid management, a technique that has proved useful in other procedures. Finally, we review other parameters used in free flap surgery, such as clotting/platelet management and nutritional optimization.

Oxidative Stress Markers to Investigate the Effects of Hyperoxia in Anesthesia

Oxygen (O₂) is commonly used in clinical practice to prevent or treat hypoxia, but if used in excess (hyperoxia), it may act as toxic. O₂ toxicity arises from the enhanced formation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) that exceed the antioxidant defenses and generate oxidative stress. In this study, we aimed at assessing whether an elevated fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO₂) during and after general anesthesia may contribute to the unbalancing of the pro-oxidant/antioxidant equilibrium. We measured five oxidative stress biomarkers in blood samples from patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery, randomly assigned to FiO₂ = 0.40 vs. 0.80: hydroperoxides, antioxidants, nitrates and nitrites (NO_x), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathionyl hemoglobin (HbSSG). The MDA concentration was significantly higher 24 h after surgery, and the body antioxidant defense lower, in the FiO₂ = 0.80 group with respect to both the FiO₂ = 0.40 group and the baseline values (p ≤ 0.05, Student’s t-test). HbSSG in red blood cells was also higher in the FiO₂ = 0.80 group at the end of the surgery. NO_x was higher in the FiO₂ = 0.80 group than the FiO₂ = 0.40 group at t = 2 h after surgery. MDA, the main end product of the peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids directly influenced by FiO₂, may represent the best marker to assess the pro-oxidant/antioxidant equilibrium after surgery.

Influence of Surgical Procedures on Serum Paraoxonase-1-Related Variables and Markers of Inflammation in Hospitalized Patients

Purpose: Surgical stress is a phenomenon not completely understood from the biochemical point of view, although it produces alterations in the oxidative balance and inflammatory status. The present study aimed to investigate the alterations of the circulating levels of paraoxonase-1 (PON1)-related variables and markers of inflammation in hospitalized patients who underwent surgery. Methods: We recruited 285 hospitalized patients. Of those, 115 were hospitalized due to a surgical intervention and 170 for reasons other than surgery. The control group consisted of 128 healthy volunteers. A blood sample was obtained for the measurement of serum PON1-related variables, and C-reactive protein (CRP), chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), and procalcitonin concentrations. Results: Hospitalized patients had lower serum PON1 activities [paraoxonase: 215.6 (168.6 - 277.8) vs. 298.7 (229.7 - 382.6) U/L, p < 0.001; lactonase: 3.0 (2.3 - 3.7) vs. 5.7 (4.6 - 6.5) U/L, p < 0.001], and higher CCL2, CRP and procalcitonin concentrations than the healthy individuals. The days elapsed following surgery and the duration of the procedure itself inversely correlated with PON1-related variables, and directly correlated with CRP concentrations. Patients that were operated on by laparotomy had higher PON1 activity than patients operated on by laparoscopy. Local and regional anesthesia was associated with higher PON1 activities and lower CRP concentrations. Conclusion: These results show a decrease in PON1 activities and an increase in acute phase response in hospitalized patients undergoing surgery and support the hypothesis that these phenomena are related to post-surgical metabolic alterations.