Anaes SAQs · Applied cardiovascular & respiratory physiology
The stress response to surgery
Primary — endocrine (cortisol, ADH, RAAS, catecholamines, glucagon, GH, insulin resistance); inflammatory (IL-6, TNF-alpha, CRP, immunosuppression); metabolic (hyperglycaemia, catabolism, Na/H2O retention, lipolysis); regional anaesthesia blocking afferent signals; ERAS elements; dexamethasone; consequences of unmodified response.
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Prompt
Describe the endocrine, inflammatory and metabolic components of the surgical stress response. Explain how anaesthetic technique and ERAS protocols modify it.
Question
Describe the endocrine, inflammatory and metabolic components of the surgical stress response. Explain how anaesthetic technique and ERAS protocols modify it. (Question stem restated — the worked answers below carry the primary-source citations.)
References4ShowHide
- [1]Stojanovic SM, et al. Salivary cortisol and ropivacaine-dexamethasone. Pharmaceuticals, 2026.PMID 42356547
- [3]Catarci M, et al. ERAS and surgical site infections. Antibiotics, 2026.PMID 42353726
- [5]Herrlich LF, et al. Inflammatory Stewardship-A Perspective for Active Management of Acute Inflammation. FASEB J, 2026.PMID 42340056
- [4]Nobre CDA, et al. Postoperative pain and surgical recovery: are we treating pain or building resilience? Front Pain Res, 2026.PMID 42317570