Interleukin-6 as a biochemical marker of intestinal anastomotic leakage

Chernykh M.A.; Belousov A.M.; Shostka K.G.

doi:https://doi.org/10.17116/hirurgia202509187

Chernykh M.A.

Saint Petersburg State University

ORCID: 0000-0001-8476-729X

Belousov A.M.

Loginov Moscow Clinical Scientific Center

ORCID: 0000-0002-2274-8170

Shostka K.G.

Pirogov High Medical Technology Clinic, St. Petersburg State University

ORCID: 0000-0003-2654-1190

Interleukin-6 as a biochemical marker of intestinal anastomotic leakage

Authors:

Chernykh M.A., Belousov A.M., Shostka K.G.

More about the authors

Journal: Pirogov Russian Journal of Surgery. 2025;(9): 87‑93

DOI: 10.17116/hirurgia202509187

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To cite this article:

Chernykh MA, Belousov AM, Shostka KG. Interleukin-6 as a biochemical marker of intestinal anastomotic leakage. Pirogov Russian Journal of Surgery. 2025;(9):87‑93. (In Russ.)
https://doi.org/10.17116/hirurgia202509187

Подписка 2026 Хирургия. Журнал им. Н.И. Пирогова (Pirogov Russian Journal of Surgery)

Использование инфографики авторами научных работ

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate diagnostic significance of IL-6 compared to CRP for early detection of anastomotic leakage after colon resection for colorectal cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 277 patients who underwent total resection for colorectal cancer. Patients were retrospectively divided into three groups: without complications (n=227), with anastomotic leakage (n=30), and other postoperative complications (n=20). CRP and IL-6 were measured daily for 5 postoperative days. Dynamics of markers and their diagnostic significance were estimated using ROC analysis.

RESULTS

Serum IL-6 in patients with anastomotic leakage reached significant values after 2 postoperative days (AUC=0.872, cut-off=51.2 pg/ml, sensitivity 79.3%, specificity 89.1%) and maximum after 3 days (AUC=0.949, cut-off=66.4 pg/ml, sensitivity 80.0%, specificity 96.8%). CRP demonstrated diagnostically significant values after 3—4 days (AUC=0.875 after 3 days and 0.926 after 4 days). Dynamics of IL-6 after intervention for anastomotic leakage indicated advisability of this marker to assess the quality of abdominal debridement.

CONCLUSION

IL-6 is a perspective early marker of anastomotic leakage with high sensitivity and specificity after 2 days. This significantly reduces the diagnostic time compared to CRP. IL-6 can optimize postoperative management of patients contributing to early detection of complications and timely intervention.

Keywords:

anastomotic failure

interleukin-6

C-reactive protein

colorectal cancer

Authors:

Chernykh M.A.

Saint Petersburg State University

ORCID: 0000-0001-8476-729X

Belousov A.M.

Loginov Moscow Clinical Scientific Center

ORCID: 0000-0002-2274-8170

Shostka K.G.

Pirogov High Medical Technology Clinic, St. Petersburg State University

ORCID: 0000-0003-2654-1190

Received:

17.03.2025

Accepted:

08.04.2025

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