Major colorectal surgery activates complement as
measured by elevated levels of C3a peri-operatively and
after 24 h post-operatively. There is a pro-inflammatory
response in patients undergoing major colorectal surgery
with increased levels of IL-6 and IL-8 in the first postoperative
24 h. Taken together, the choice of inhalation
anaesthesia with sevoflurane and fentanyl or total intravenous
anaesthesia with propofol–remifentanil does not
make a difference in the activation of complement or the
release of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines.