Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of sevoflurane anesthesia on the expressions of interleukin-1(IL-1), intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) after operation and lung complications in elderly patients with lung cancer. 
Methods A total of 128 elderly patients with lung cancer were selected and divided into research group(n=64) and control group(n=64) according to the random number table method. The elderly lung cancer patients in both groups received surgery. The control group was given propofol general anesthesia before operation, and the research group was given sevoflurane anesthesia. The mini mental state examination scale(MMES) score, the incidence of postoperative cognitive impairment, the levels of serum inflammatory factors［interleukin-1(IL-1), intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1), vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)］, pain mediators ［substance P(SP), bradykinin(BK), interleukin-6(IL-6)］ and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. 
Results The MMSE scores of the two groups both decreased initially and then increased; the fluctuation range of the MMSE scores of the research group was smaller than that of the control group, and the differences in the interaction between groups, time points, and time points between groups were statistically significant(P＜0.05). The incidence of cognitive impairment in the research group at 8 h, 24 h, and 3 d after surgery was significantly lower than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05). After operation, the levels of IL-1, ICAM-1, and VEGF in the two groups were significantly lower than those before operation, and the levels of IL-1, ICAM-1, and VEGF in the research group were significantly lower than those of the control group, with significant difference(P＜0.05). The levels of SP, BK, and IL-6 in the two groups were significantly lower than those before surgery, and the levels of SP, BK, and IL-6 in the research group were significantly lower than those in the control group, suggesting significant difference(P＜0.05). The incidence of complications such as pneumonia, purulent sputum, fever and positive sputum culture in the research group was significantly lower than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05). 
Conclusion Sevoflurane anesthesia can effectively improve the postoperative cognitive function of elderly patients with lung cancer, and reduce the incidence of cognitive impairment, the levels of serum inflammatory factors, pain mediators and the incidence of lung complications, which is safe and effective.

Key words: lung neoplasms, sevoflurane, lung complications