The role of cytokines in enhanced recovery after surgery

Immune response and metabolic regulation are highly integrated and the proper function of each is dependent on the other. Cytokines are helpful towards the host response but potentially hazardous if uncontrollable or in excess. This is seen metabolically in the ‘diabetes of injury’ and the immunosuppression that follows major surgery or trauma. The brief review evaluates the role of cytokines in the metabolic response to surgery and the association with the new insight of enhanced recovery after surgery.