• Henk Willem D Pol, Els Sibma, Clark J Zeebregts, Erik G J M Pierik, and Robbert Meerwaldt.
• Department of Surgery, Isala Clinics, Zwolle, The Netherlands.
• Am. J. Surg. 2011 Nov 1; 202 (5): 583-9.

BackgroundAbdominal surgery is a major oxidative stress effector. The increase in oxidative stress has been related to postoperative complications. Oxidative stress leads to the formation and accumulation of oxidation protein end products, which exhibit autofluorescence (AF) and induce inflammatory reactions.MethodsSkin AF was assessed perioperatively in 40 consecutive colorectal surgery patients until discharge. Duration of surgery, estimated blood loss, and urinary production per hour were analyzed as measures of surgical stress. The clinical occurrence of anastomotic leakage, systemic infections, and cardiopulmonary complications within 30 days of surgery were analyzed.ResultsA perioperative increase in skin AF of 19 ± .2% was observed. Duration of operation and blood loss were independently associated with the perioperative increase in skin AF. Skin AF correlated with C-reactive protein levels postoperatively. American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, duration of operation, and preoperative and perioperative increases in AF were independently associated with postoperative complications.ConclusionsThis is the first study to demonstrate an association between skin AF and surgical stress and outcomes, which may rate the condition of a patient after operation.Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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