Table 3 Comparison of concurrent melatonin and hydrocortisone concentrations in the two groups

Melatonin (pg/ml)

On the day of surgery

15.24 ± 0.98

15.03 ± 1.21

0.309

1 day post-op

8.08 ± 1.16

7.13 ± 1.37

0.000^△

2 days post-op

13.68 ± 2.01

12.47 ± 2.25

0.002^△

3 days post-op

14.07 ± 1.83

13.71 ± 1.94

0.305

Hydrocortisone (nmol/L)

On the day of surgery

129.03 ± 14.60

131.70 ± 20.10

0.408

1 day post-op

392.93 ± 136.09

454.28 ± 150.87

0.021^△

2 days post-op

346.83 ± 101.22

370.26 ± 112.03

0.232

3 days post-op

241.91 ± 98.81

245.98 ± 104.46

0.827