Impact of perioperative platelet counts and IL-6 on wound healing outcomes after thoracoscopic lung cancer surgery

TL;DR

This study shows that higher platelet counts and lower IL-6 levels before and after lung cancer surgery are linked to better wound healing and recovery outcomes.

Contribution

The study identifies platelet counts and IL-6 as predictive biomarkers for wound healing outcomes after thoracoscopic lung cancer surgery.

Findings

Higher platelet counts correlate with reduced bleeding and shorter hospital stays after surgery.

Elevated preoperative IL-6 levels predict poor wound healing outcomes.

Low platelet counts are associated with increased postoperative inflammation markers like IL-10 and TNF-α.

Abstract

Wound healing complications remain significant concerns following thoracoscopic surgery for lung cancer. Perioperative hematological indicators, particularly platelet counts and inflammatory markers, are crucial factors influencing wound healing. Given these gaps, we retrospectively investigated the effect of these indicators on postoperative wound healing outcomes in lung cancer surgery.

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 200 patients who underwent thoracoscopic surgery for lung cancer. We assessed platelet counts, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and other hematological markers. Patients were stratified by platelet counts into high and low groups. Correlations between these hematological parameters and clinical outcomes, including intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization duration, and wound healing status, were analysed.

Higher perioperative platelet counts were significantly associated with reduced intraoperative bleeding (p = 0.015) and shorter hospital stays (p = 0.019). The high platelet count group showed better Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scores three days post-surgery (p < 0.01). Elevated IL-6 levels preoperatively correlated with adverse wound healing outcomes (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis indicated that elevated IL-6 was a predictive marker for poor wound healing (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.15–1.48). Other markers, including IL-10 and TNF-α, were elevated postoperatively in the low platelet count group, indicating a heightened inflammatory response.

Perioperative platelet counts and inflammatory markers, particularly IL-6, significantly influence wound healing in lung cancer surgery. Higher platelet counts were associated with better early postoperative outcomes, while elevated IL-6 levels predict adverse wound healing events. Preoperative IL-6 screening could flag patients who benefit from intensified anti-inflammatory care; multicentre trials with longer follow-up are warranted.

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