The lenght of peritoneal surgical manipulation correlates with serum CA 125 levels

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal recovery after uncomplicated serum manipulation usually lasts 7 days and high values of serical CA 125 are measured following abdominal surgery. The aim of this study was to assess a possible correlation between peritoneal manipulation and serical CA 125 levels following abdominal surgery for benign diseases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with abdominal benign disease were operated on. They were pooled into three groups of low, intermediate and high peritoneal manipulation, according to the extent of laparotomy and length of surgical peritoneal manipulation. Venous blood samples (5 ml) were taken from each patient 24-48 hours before surgery, 12-24 hours after surgery and on the 4th and 7th postoperative day. CA 125 levels were quantified by microparticle enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: After surgery, patients having high peritoneal manipulation showed significantly higher levels of CA 125 compared to the preoperative levels. In particular, the length of peritoneal manipulation was correlated with increasing levels of the marker (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Peritoneal manipulation was significantly correlated to serum CA 125 levels; therefore its role as marker of peritoneal surgical injury should be considered.