Surgery today
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Ghrelin, a stomach-derived hormone, stimulates growth hormone secretion and appetite, and inhibits excessive inflammatory response. Plasma ghrelin might affect the inflammatory response to stressful surgical interventions. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serial changes in plasma ghrelin concentrations and the postoperative clinical course after esophagectomy. ⋯ An early postoperative drop in plasma ghrelin correlated with prolonged SIRS after esophagectomy. Thus, the supplementation of low plasma ghrelin may help minimize excess inflammatory response in these patients.