Remote ischemic preconditioning does not influence lectin pathway protein levels in head and neck cancer patients undergoing surgery.

BACKGROUND: Cancer patients who undergo tumor removal, and reconstructive surgery by transfer of a free tissue flap, are at high risk of surgical site infection and ischemia-reperfusion injury. Complement activation through the lectin pathway (LP) may contribute to ischemia-reperfusion injury. Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) is a recent experimental treatment targeting ischemia-reperfusion injury. The study aims were to investigate LP protein plasma levels in head and neck cancer patients compared with healthy individuals, to explore whether RIPC affects LP protein levels in head and neck cancer surgery, and finally to examine the association between postoperative LP protein levels and the risk of surgical site infection. METHODS: Head and neck cancer patients (n = 60) undergoing tumor resection and reconstructive surgery were randomized 1:1 to RIPC or sham intervention administered intraoperatively. Blood samples were obtained preoperatively, 6 hours after RIPC/sham, and on the first postoperative day. LP protein plasma levels were measured utilizing time-resolved immunofluorometric assays. RESULTS: H-ficolin and M-ficolin levels were significantly increased in cancer patients compared with healthy individuals (both P 0.13). CONCLUSIONS: The LP was altered in head and neck cancer patients. LP protein levels were reduced after surgery, but intraoperative RIPC did not influence the LP. Postoperative LP protein levels were not associated with surgical site infection.