ISSN 0303-5212
 

Original Research
Online Published: 19 Sep 2026
 
RMJ. 2026; 51(4): 1097-1100


Evaluating novel pathological insights by integrating salivary cytokines into postoperative inflammation in fracture fixation patients

Amna Sarfaraz, Rummana Aqeel, Sadia Iqbal, Taleeha Roheen, Attique Ur Rehman.


Abstract
Objective: To determine the possibility of employing salivary cytokine profiling as a non-invasive biomarker for monitoring of postoperative inflammation in patients undergoing mandibular fracture fixation.
Methodology: This prospective study involved 90 patients who had mandibular fractures and were open-reduced and internally fixed. Unstimulated salivation samples were obtained at the preoperative and postoperative Days 1, 3, and 7. ELISA was used to measure the pro-inflammatory cytokines and the anti-inflammatory cytokines. Facial swelling, pain intensity (visual analogue scale; VAS), and body temperature were recorded at each time. The data analysis was conducted with SPSS 27.
Results: Pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) displayed a significant surge after surgery, peaking on Day 1 (p<0.001) and gradually decreasing until Day 7. In contrast, IL-10 showed a delayed increase, reaching a maximum on Day 3. Strong positive correlations were found between IL-6 and the amount of swelling on the face and TNF-α and the pain intensity.
Conclusion: Salivary cytokine profiling is a reliable and noninvasive method to monitor the inflammatory activity postoperatively in patients with mandibular fracture fixation. It could be used as an early warning sign of inflammatory complications leading to improved postoperative care in maxillofacial surgery.

Key words: Saliva, cytokines, biomarker, mandibular fracture, inflammation.


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Sarfaraz A, Aqeel R, Iqbal S, Roheen T, Rehman AU. Evaluating novel pathological insights by integrating salivary cytokines into postoperative inflammation in fracture fixation patients. RMJ. 2026; 51(4): 1097-1100.


Web Style

Sarfaraz A, Aqeel R, Iqbal S, Roheen T, Rehman AU. Evaluating novel pathological insights by integrating salivary cytokines into postoperative inflammation in fracture fixation patients. https://www.rmj.org.pk/?mno=291266 [Access: November 11, 2026].


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Sarfaraz A, Aqeel R, Iqbal S, Roheen T, Rehman AU. Evaluating novel pathological insights by integrating salivary cytokines into postoperative inflammation in fracture fixation patients. RMJ. 2026; 51(4): 1097-1100.



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Sarfaraz A, Aqeel R, Iqbal S, Roheen T, Rehman AU. Evaluating novel pathological insights by integrating salivary cytokines into postoperative inflammation in fracture fixation patients. RMJ. (2026), [cited November 11, 2026]; 51(4): 1097-1100.



Harvard Style

Sarfaraz, A., Aqeel, . R., Iqbal, . S., Roheen, . T. & Rehman, . A. U. (2026) Evaluating novel pathological insights by integrating salivary cytokines into postoperative inflammation in fracture fixation patients. RMJ, 51 (4), 1097-1100.



Turabian Style

Sarfaraz, Amna, Rummana Aqeel, Sadia Iqbal, Taleeha Roheen, and Attique Ur Rehman. 2026. Evaluating novel pathological insights by integrating salivary cytokines into postoperative inflammation in fracture fixation patients. Rawal Medical Journal, 51 (4), 1097-1100.



Chicago Style

Sarfaraz, Amna, Rummana Aqeel, Sadia Iqbal, Taleeha Roheen, and Attique Ur Rehman. "Evaluating novel pathological insights by integrating salivary cytokines into postoperative inflammation in fracture fixation patients." Rawal Medical Journal 51 (2026), 1097-1100.



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Sarfaraz, Amna, Rummana Aqeel, Sadia Iqbal, Taleeha Roheen, and Attique Ur Rehman. "Evaluating novel pathological insights by integrating salivary cytokines into postoperative inflammation in fracture fixation patients." Rawal Medical Journal 51.4 (2026), 1097-1100. Print.



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Sarfaraz, A., Aqeel, . R., Iqbal, . S., Roheen, . T. & Rehman, . A. U. (2026) Evaluating novel pathological insights by integrating salivary cytokines into postoperative inflammation in fracture fixation patients. Rawal Medical Journal, 51 (4), 1097-1100.