MICROCIRCULATION IN PATIENTS WITH ASCENDING COLON CANCER IN IMMEDIATE POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD

Abstract

Aim: To study blood rheological properties in the immediate postoperative period after the surgery due to ascending colon cancer. Materials and Methods: We recruited 145 consecutive patients (50-75 years of age) who underwent surgery due to ascending colon cancer. All patients were divided into three groups: 1) T1N0M0 disease stage (n = 45); 2) T2N0M0 (n = 38); 3) T3N1M0 (n = 62). To determine blood rheological properties, we measured viscosity, deformation and aggregation of red blood cells. Results: We found that 1-3 days postoperation blood rheological properties, i.e. deformation and aggregation of red blood cells, hematocrit, and oxygen delivery to tissues, were increased in all groups with the further decline 5-7 and particularly 11-13 days postoperation. However, in patients with T2N0M0 and T3N1M0 stages, rheological properties did not return to the reference values. Conclusion: Alterations of rheological properties may have clinical significance in immediate postoperative period.