Comparison of C-reactive protein and procalcitonin as predictors of postoperative infectious complications after elective colorectal surgery

Procalcitonin for Early Detection of Pharyngocutaneous Fistula after Total Laryngectomy: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the role of procalcitonin as an early diagnostic marker of pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) in a cohort of head and neck patients treated with total laryngectomy for squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS

This prospective study was conducted on a sample of patients enrolled from January 2019 to March 2022. All patients were subjected to a "protocol" of blood chemistry investigations, scheduled as follows: complete blood count with formula, ESR dosage, CPR, and PCT. PCT was also dosed by salivary sampling and a pharyngo-cutaneous swab in patients who presented with PCF. The dosage scheme was systematically repeated: the day before the intervention (t0); the 5th day postoperative (t1); the 20th day postoperative (t2); and at time X, the day of the eventual appearance of the pharyngocutaneous fistula.

RESULTS

A total of 36 patients met the inclusion criteria. The patients enrolled in the study were subsequently divided into two groups: 27 patients underwent total laryngectomy (TL) for laryngeal cancer without postoperative complications, and 9 patients were undergoing TL with postoperative PCF. Using the Cochran's Q test, statistical significance was found for PCT among T0, T1, Tx, and T2 (p-value < 0.001) between the PCF and non-PCF groups. The Z test demonstrated that there is a difference in PCT levels at T1 and T2 and that this difference is statistically significant (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

PCT could be considered an early marker of complications in open laryngeal surgery. According to our results, it could be useful in the precocious detection of pharyngocutaneous fistulas and in the management of antibiotic therapy.

Procalcitonin in the Post-Operative Burn Patient

Serum procalcitonin (PCT) is a biomarker used to diagnose sepsis and infection. Following invasive bacterial infection, PCT is detectable in peripheral blood. The aim of our study was to determine if there is a relationship between serum PCT post-burn wound debridement and burn-related sepsis. In total, 34 participants were recruited from 1 November 2019 to 31 July 2020. Serum PCT levels were drawn on days 0, 1, 2, and 3, with day 0 being the day of the surgery. Blood culture samples were drawn on days 0 and 3. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA©. Descriptive statistics were presented as the median for continuous data and frequencies for categorical data. A two-sample Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test was performed to assess the correlation between the PCT values and blood culture positivity. In all, 33 burn debridement procedures were completed, and 1 patient demised before surgery. The median age was 35.5 years; 61.8% were male. Four patients had comorbidities. There was a trend of higher PCT values from day 0 to day 3. The median PCT on day 0 was 3.30 µg/L (IQR 0.78-15.10), compared to day 3 PCT which was 5.15 µg/L (IQR 1.35-18.55). The median values for serum PCT for days 0 to 3 were above the normal threshold regardless of BC positivity. There was a statistically significant difference in the PCT levels between positive and negative BC, with a p value of 0.0087 for day 3 serum PCT. The findings indicate an association of a high serum PCT level with a positive blood culture in a burn patient post-debridement surgery. A higher numerical threshold/cut-off of serum PCT should be used for this cohort of patients, to aid in the diagnosis of sepsis. A cut-off value could not be determined due to the small sample size.

Management of Intra-Abdominal Infections: The Role of Procalcitonin

Patients with intra-abdominal sepsis suffer from significant mortality and morbidity. The main pillars of treatment for intra-abdominal infections are (1) source control and (2) early delivery of antibiotics. Antibiotic therapy should be started as soon as possible. However, the duration of antibiotics remains a matter of debate. Prolonged antibiotic delivery can lead to increased microbial resistance and the development of nosocomial infections. There has been much research on biomarkers and their ability to aid the decision on when to stop antibiotics. Some of these biomarkers include interleukins, C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT). PCT's value as a biomarker has been a focus area of research in recent years. Most studies use either a cut-off value of 0.50 ng/mL or an >80% reduction in PCT levels to determine when to stop antibiotics. This paper performs a literature review and provides a synthesized up-to-date global overview on the value of PCT in managing intra-abdominal infections.

Impact of Perioperatively Administered Amino Acids, Lidocaine, and Magnesium on Inflammatory Response and Pain Associated with Abdominal Surgery: A Prospective Clinical Study

BACKGROUND Abdominal surgery is associated with a systemic inflammatory response which facilitates postoperative complications through immune imbalance and hypercatabolism. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the combined perioperative lidocaine, magnesium, and amino acids on postoperative inflammation and pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS This prospective, randomized, double-blind study included 2 groups of patients undergoing abdominal surgery: Group 1 - receiving the aforementioned substances; and Group 2 - control (undergoing conventional general anesthesia). The following parameters were evaluated intraoperatively: arterial blood pressure, end-tidal CO₂ level, urine output, bispectral index, base excess, oxygen saturation, operating room temperature and body temperature (BT), opioid use, and surgery duration; and postoperatively: total leukocyte (WBC), neutrophil, lymphocyte and platelet count; fibrinogen, C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT) and interleukin (IL)-6 levels; numeric rating scale (NRS) pain level, first flatus and bowel movement, and postoperative complications. The postoperative parameters were evaluated 2 h and 6 h postoperatively, as well as on postoperative days (POD) 1, 2, 3, and 5. RESULTS Group 1 showed lower counts of WBC, neutrophils, and lymphocytes and lower fibrinogen, CRP, PCT, IL-6, and BT in the first 5 POD, as well as NRS scores and time to first flatus/bowel movement. The groups did not differ significantly regarding postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS The isolated effects of lidocaine, magnesium, and amino acids in surgery have been described previously. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to show the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of simultaneous use of these substances in abdominal surgery.

Diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin and interleukin-6 for postoperative infection in major gastrointestinal surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

We aim to assess the diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin (PCT) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as diagnostic biomarkers for postoperative infection/sepsis following major abdominal surgery. Postoperative infection is an important cause for morbidity and mortality in major surgery. Early diagnosis and antimicrobial treatment improves outcomes, and high-performing biomarkers could guide clinical decision making.

METHODS

A systematic database search was conducted for studies reporting diagnostic performance of biomarkers (including PCT and IL-6) for infection/sepsis following major abdominal surgery. Studies were assessed for reporting of diagnostic accuracy, relevance and quality. Data were extracted for meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Ten studies with 1,611 participants reported the diagnostic accuracy of PCT, with pooled sensitivity, specificity and summary receiver operator curve of 72% (95% CI 66-78), 62% (95% CI 59-64) and 0.766, respectively. Four studies with 175 participants reported the diagnostic accuracy of IL-6, with pooled sensitivity, specificity and summary receiver operator curve of 84% (95% CI 72-92), 76% (95% CI 68-84) and 0.878, respectively There was variability in the timing of sampling and cut-off values and significant heterogeneity and inconsistency between studies (I2 diagnostic odds ratio (DOR)= 43.2% for PCT, I2 DOR=0% for IL-6).

CONCLUSIONS

PCT performs only moderately well as a diagnostic test for postoperative infection/sepsis in major abdominal surgery, demonstrating limited sensitivity and specificity. Heterogeneity between studies is a limitation of the meta-analysis. There is an ongoing need for a rapid, accurate biomarker for postoperative infection or sepsis.

Association of a Single Post-Operative Day Three C-Reactive Protein Value with Anastomotic Complications after Colorectal Surgery: A Prospective Observational Study

Background: Early detection and treatment of a colorectal anastomotic leak reduces leak-associated morbidity. The primary objective of this study was to assess the role of C-reactive protein (CRP) as a tool to facilitate the early diagnosis of large bowel anastomotic leak. Patients and Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study at a specialized colorectal unit of a tertiary referral teaching center where we recorded CRP levels pre-operatively and on day three for 113 patients undergoing a large bowel anastomosis. The primary outcome measure was the occurrence of anastomotic leak and its association with post-operative day three CRP levels (day one considered as 24 hours after surgery). The area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for the day three CRP value with the anastomotic leak was calculated and optimal cutoffs derived. Definitions and diagnostic criteria for a leak were established before commencing the study. Demographic, operative, diagnostic, and interventional procedure data were also recorded. Results: Twenty-two patients had an anastomotic leak (19.4%), and 14 (12.3%) required re-exploration or drain placement. The cutoff value of day three CRP with the greatest area under the ROC curve in the ROC curve analysis was 166 mg/L (area under the curve [AUC], 0.853) for open and laparoscopic procedures (sensitivity and specificity of 81.81% and 82.42%, respectively) with a negative predictive value of 93.8%. There was no difference in mean day three CRP levels between open and laparoscopic surgery (116.57 mg/L vs. 108.94 mg/L) Conclusions: A CRP value of more than 166 mg/L on day three should raise suspicion of an anastomotic leak.

Perioperative Use of Glucocorticoids and Intraoperative Hypotension May Affect the Incidence of Postoperative Infection in Patients with Gastric Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background

In patients undergoing surgical resection for gastric cancer, postoperative complications—in particular, postoperative infections—remain an important problem and can result in delayed recovery and increased postoperative mortality.

Objective

To investigate the association between perioperative anesthesia management and postoperative infectious complications in patients undergoing resection for gastric cancer.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

A single-center study performed from April 1, 2015, to June 30, 2018, at Peking University Cancer Hospital.

Patients

Patients who underwent resection for gastric cancer.

Main Outcome Measures

Demographic information, perioperative data (including anesthesia-related data, surgery-related data, and cancer diagnosis), and information on postoperative recovery were recorded. The primary outcome was incidence of postoperative infection; the secondary outcome was length of hospital stay. The associations between perioperative factors and postoperative infectious complications were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression models and the classification tree method.

Results

A total of 880 patients were included in the study; of these, 111 (12.6%) had postoperative infectious complications during hospitalization, including 78 surgical site infections and 62 remote infections. After correction for confounding factors on logistic multivariable analysis, perioperative use of glucocorticoids was associated with a lower incidence of postoperative infection (hazard ratio 0.968, 95% confidence interval 0.939 to 0.997, P=0.029), and intraoperative systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg for >10 min was associated with a higher incidence of postoperative infection (hazard ratio 2.112, 95% confidence interval 1.174 to 3.801, P=0.013). In addition, older age, preoperative hypoproteinemia, and total gastrectomy were identified as independent predictors of postoperative infection.

Conclusion

For patients with gastric cancer, perioperative use of glucocorticoids and avoiding intraoperative hypotension may decrease the incidence of postoperative infectious complications.

Inflammatory biomarkers to predict postoperative infectious complications after cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC for peritoneal carcinomatosis

BACKGROUND

Early detection of postoperative infectious complications (IC) is crucial after Cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive role of early postoperative inflammatory biomarkers level for the detection of postoperative IC.

METHODS

a retrospective study was performed including 199 patients treated with complete CRS/HIPEC for PC from various primary origins from September 2012 to January 2021. Patients were monitored by a routine measurement of inflammatory biomarkers (CRP, leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, neutrophile-to-lymphocyte ratio and platelets-to-lymphocyte ratio). Inflammatory biomarkers were compared between patients with vs without IC.

RESULTS

IC occurred for 68 patients (34.2%). CRP values were significantly higher in patients with IC on POD 3, 5 and 7 (CRP = 166 mg/L [128-244], 155 mg/L [102-222] and 207 mg/L [135-259], respectively). The CRP on POD7, with a cut-off value of 100 mg/L, was an excellent predictor of postoperative IC (AUC = 90.1%). The CRP on POD 5, with a cut-off value of 90 mg/L, was a good predictor of postoperative IC (AUC = 83.2%). NLR values were significantly higher in patients with IC on POD 3, 5 and 7. NLR on POD 5 and 7 higher than 9.7 and 6.3, respectively, were fair predictors (AUC = 70.8 and 79.6, respectively).

CONCLUSION

CRP levels between POD3 and 7 are the best predictors of postoperative IC after CRS/HIPEC. The presence of postoperative IC should be suspected in patients with CRP higher than 140 mg/L, 90 mg/L or 100 mg/L on PODs 3, 5 or 7.

Procalcitonin and C-Reactive Protein for Bacterial Infection Diagnosis in Elderly Patients After Traumatic Orthopedic Surgery

BACKGROUND

Biomarkers prove valuable for diagnosing postoperative bacterial infection, but data in elderly patients are scarce. Here we analyze how procalcitonin and C-reactive protein (CRP) perform for bacterial infection diagnosis after traumatic orthopedic surgery in elderly patients.

METHODS

We included all patients admitted to our perioperative geriatrics unit after traumatic orthopedic surgery. Patients on antibiotics, presenting preoperative bacterial infection, or without procalcitonin measurement were excluded. Clinical and biological data were collected prospectively. Medical charts were reviewed by three experts blinded to biomarker results to assess bacterial infection diagnosis. Areas under the curve and 90%-specificity thresholds were analyzed for baseline procalcitonin and CRP levels and relative variations.

RESULTS

Analysis included 229 patients (median age 86 years, hip fracture 83%), of which 40 had bacterial infection (pneumonia [n = 23], urinary tract infection [n = 8]; median delay to onset: 2 days post-admission). For bacterial infection diagnosis, the computed areas under the curve were not significantly different (procalcitonin-baseline 0.64 [95% confidence interval: 0.57-0.70]; procalcitonin-relative variation 0.65 [0.59-0.71]; CRP-baseline 0.68 [0.61-0.74]; CRP-relative variation 0.70 [0.64-0.76]). The 90%-specificity thresholds were 0.75 µg/L for procalcitonin-baseline, +62% for procalcitonin-variation, 222 mg/L for CRP-baseline, +111% for CRP-variation.

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnostic performances of procalcitonin and CRP were not significantly different. Baseline levels and relative variations of these biomarkers showed little diagnostic value after traumatic orthopedic surgery in elderly patients.

Procalcitonin as an early indicator of urosepsis following prostate biopsy

BACKGROUND

To investigate the usefulness of serum procalcitonin (PCT) in the early diagnosis of urinary tract infection (UTI) and urosepsis following transrectal prostate biopsy.

METHODS

In this prospective observational study, 227 patients who underwent transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy were evaluated. The relationship between urosepsis and age, serum PCT, C-reactive protein, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate volume, PSA density and pathologic results following biopsy was assessed. Serum PCT level was measured in all patients immediately before the biopsy and at the post-biopsy day 2.

RESULTS

Of the 227 patients, 11 (4.8%) developed UTI with positive urine culture without urosepsis and 5 (2.2%) developed urosepsis within 30 days after biopsy. The concentration of PCT was within the normal range before the biopsy. Procalcitonin concentration at post-biopsy day 2 was significantly higher in patients who developed urosepsis (1.91 ± 2.99 ng/ml vs. 0.05 ± 0.08 ng/ml; p = .004) compared with non-UTI patients. Only elevated PCT level at post-biopsy day 2 was a statistically significant independent predictor of post-biopsy urosepsis. The area under the ROC curve for the prediction of urosepsis was 0.976 (95%CI: 0.941-1.000) and a cut-off 0.095 ng/ml in the level of PCT at post-biopsy day 2 yielded a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 93.8% in detecting urosepsis following biopsy.

CONCLUSIONS

Procalcitonin appears to be a useful early biomarker to predict the urosepsis following prostate biopsy. Patients with elevated PCT value should be closely monitored after the biopsy.

The effects of nutritional support on selected laboratory parameters in patients with colorectal cancer undergoing surgical resection of the colon

The benefit of the nutritional support provided to patients with colorectal cancer who have undergone the planned resection of the colon in relation to the laboratory markers of nutrition was examined. And it is currently being discussed, that pre-operative optimization of nutritional status reduces the incidence of post-operative complications in cancer patients and regulates selected laboratory parameters. This was a retrospective study where the treatment group (n = 52) received the enteral nutritional support 21 days prior to the scheduled surgery and the other group was formed of patients without preoperative enteral nutrition (n = 52). Laboratory parameters (CRP, leukocytes, albumin, total proteins) were monitored for at least one month before the planned surgery and just before the operation, and the effect of supplemental enteral nutrition on selected laboratory parameters between these two groups was compared. In a group of patients with enteral nutrition, serum albumin levels increased significantly, while CRP was significantly reduced during preoperative enteral nutrition (albumin S-ALB from 35.42 to 37.48, p = 0.0008, C reactive protein from 26.5 to 14.092, p = 0.0007). Nutritional support 21 days prior to surgery in oncological patients resulted in an improvement in laboratory parameters compared to the group of patients without nutritional enteric support. Malnutrition in patients who are candidates for major surgical intervention is a risk factor for postoperative morbidity and mortality. However, further studies are required to verify the effectiveness of this early nutritional intervention on medium and long-term clinical parameters in different types of cancer.

Italian multi-society modified Delphi consensus on the definition and management of anastomotic leakage in colorectal surgery

INTRODUCTION

The incidence of anastomotic leak (AL) has not decreased over the past decades and some important grey areas remain in its definition, prevention, and management. The aim of this study was to reach a national consensus on the definition of AL and to identify key points to be applied in clinical practice.

METHODS

A 3-step modified Delphi method was used to establish consensus. Ten representative members of the major Italian surgical scientific societies with proven colorectal expertise were selected after a call to action. After a comprehensive literature search, each expert drew a list of evidence-based statements which were voted in round one by the scientific board. Panel members were asked to mark "totally disagree", "partially agree" or "totally agree" for each statement and provide comments. The same voting method was used for round 2. Round 3 consisted of a final face-to-face meeting.

RESULTS

Thirty-three statements (clustered into 14 topics) were included in round 1. Following the third voting round, a final list of 16 items was formulated, which encompass the following 9 topics: AL definition, patient- and operative-related risk factors, prevention measures, bowel preparation, surgical technique, intraoperative assessment, early diagnosis, radiological diagnosis and management of specific patterns of AL. The overall response rate was 100% for all items in all the three rounds.

CONCLUSIONS

This Delphi survey identified items that expert colorectal surgeons agreed were important to be applied in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of AL. This represents the first consensus involving all relevant national scientific societies, defining important and shared concepts in the diagnosis and management of AL.

Systemic inflammatory markers for the detection of infectious complications and safe discharge after cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC

INTRODUCTION

Cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS + HIPEC) in patients with ovarian peritoneal carcinomatosis may be associated with a high postoperative morbidity. An early discrimination of postoperative complications is crucial for both improving clinical outcomes and proposing a safe discharge.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In a cohort of 122 patients with advanced ovarian cancer (FIGO III-IV), we analyzed the diagnostic performance of three systemic inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, white blood cell count and systemic immune-inflammation index) between the 5th to 8th postoperative days to prediction postoperative infectious complications. An optimal cut-off value was established in order to discriminate between the group of patients who developed infectious complications or not during the postoperative period.

RESULTS

The median peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI) was 15. The overall infectious morbidity was 25.4% (31 patients out of 122), of which, 32% (10 patients out of 31) had suffered severe postoperative complications (Dindo-Clavien III-IV). The most accurate results for detecting infectious complications were obtained by using C-reactive protein, which presented an excellent diagnostic performance, especially on the 7th and 8th postoperative days (AUC = 0,857 and 0,920; respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

These results support that it is safe to discharge patients with C-reactive protein concentrations lower than 88 mg/L and 130 mg/L, on the 7th and 8th postoperative days, respectively.

Anastomotic leakage after elective colorectal surgery: a prospective multicentre observational study on use of the Dutch leakage score, serum procalcitonin and serum C-reactive protein for diagnosis

Background

The purpose of this study was to test use of the Dutch leakage score (DLS), serum C‐reactive protein (CRP) and serum procalcitonin (PCT) in the diagnosis of anastomotic leakage (AL) after elective colorectal resection in a prospective observational study.

Methods

Patients undergoing elective colorectal resection with anastomosis in 19 centres were enrolled over a 1‐year period from September 2017. The DLS and CRP and PCT levels were evaluated on postoperative day (POD) 2, POD3 and POD6. Statistical analysis, including determination of the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), was performed for the primary endpoint of AL; secondary endpoints were morbidity and mortality rates ( http://clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT03560180).

Results

Among 1546 patients enrolled, the AL rate was 4·9 per cent. Morbidity and mortality rates were 30·2 and 1·3 per cent respectively. With respect to AL, DLS performed better than CRP and PTC levels on POD2 and POD3 (AUC 0·75 and 0·84), whereas CRP levels were documented with better AUC values on POD6 (AUC 0·81). Morbidity was poorly predicted, whereas mortality was best predicted by PCT on POD2 (AUC 0·83) and by DLS on POD3 and POD6 (AUC 0·87 and 0·98 respectively). Overall, the combination of positive PCT, CRP and DLS values resulted in a probability of AL of 21·3 per cent on POD2, 33·4 per cent on POD3, and 47·1 per cent on POD6. However, the combination of their negative values excluded AL in 99·0 per cent of cases on POD2, 99·3 per cent on POD3, and 99·2 per cent on POD6.

Conclusion

DLS and CRP level are good positive and excellent negative predictors of AL; the addition of PCT improved the predictive value for diagnosis of AL.

Colorectal surgery in Italy: a snapshot from the iCral study group

During a recent prospective trial on early diagnosis of anastomotic leakage (AL) after colorectal surgery, we gathered a large database on more than 1500 procedures performed in 19 surgical centers in Italy over a 12-month period. Main purpose of the present paper is to show the epidemiological data about colorectal procedures and anastomotic leakage. Prospective enrollment for all elective colorectal resections with anastomosis (September 2017-September 2018). Primary endpoint was AL; secondary endpoints were morbidity and mortality rates, readmission and reoperation rates, and length of post-operative hospital stay (ClinicalTrials.gov; Identifier: NCT03560180). There were 1546 enrolled cases (56.9% of 2717 total resected cases). The rate of minimally invasive resections was 83.5%. Overall AL rate was 4.92% (76 cases; range per center 0-12.12%). Mean ± SD time to AL diagnosis was 5.95 ± 4.78 days (median 5, range 1-31). Overall morbidity rate was 30.20%, mortality 1.29% (20 cases; range per center 0-3.27), readmission 0.90%, and reoperation 6.92%. Mean ± SD post-operative LOS was 7.89 ± 5.97 days (median 6; range 1-120). AL significantly influenced all other secondary endpoints. This study offers a good snapshot of colorectal resections in Italy. There was a high rate of laparoscopic resections, reflecting the special interest in this kind of surgery by the participating centers. AL, morbidity, mortality, readmission and reoperation rates are compared to those reported in previous population-based studies. Compared to series dealing with open colorectal resections, the time to diagnosis of AL was shortened by several days.

The Significance of Interleukin-6 in the Early Detection of Surgical Site Infections after Definitive Operation for Gastrointestinal Fistulae

BACKGROUND

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most common complications after definitive treatment for intestinal fistulae. Serum inflammatory markers including white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), as well as procalcitonin (PCT) have been used to help diagnosis post-operative complications.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to assess the clinical value of inflammatory markers, specifically IL-6, in predicting SSIs after intestinal fistulae resection.

METHODS

A total of 184 consecutive patients who underwent elective intestinal fistula resection were enrolled prospectively. All patients were screened to exclude patients with existing clinical infection. Plasma IL-6 concentrations, serum PCT, and CRP concentrations were measured pre-operatively and on post-operative days one, three, and seven. The predictive value of each laboratory marker for SSI was calculated.

RESULTS

The incidence of SSI after elective intestinal fistula resection was 26.7%. Interleukin-6, PCT, and CRP concentrations were higher in patients with SSIs compared with patients without. In contrast, there was no statistical difference for WBC counts between the two groups. Receiver operating characteristic curves demonstrated that IL-6 had the highest diagnostic effectiveness for post-operative SSI on post-operative day one, with an area under the curve of 0.77, and a sensitivity of 85.7% and specificity of 63.9%.

CONCLUSION

A concentration of IL-6 above 95.6 ng/L on post-operative day one and 52.5 ng/L on post-operative day three, and a concentration of PCT exceeding 0.61 mcg/L predict the occurrence of SSI after definitive operations for gastrointestinal fistulae.

Early Inflammatory Biomarkers as Predictive Factors for Freedom from Infection after Colorectal Cancer Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study

PURPOSE

Different biomarkers are useful in diagnosing infections. The aim of this work was to clarify the relation between different inflammatory biomarkers (white blood cell [WBC] count, C-reactive protein [CRP], procalcitonin [PCT], and C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio [CAR]) and early infectious complications after colorectal surgery.

METHODS

This prospective single-center cohort study included 130 patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. The WBC count, CRP, and PCT were measured at post-operative day one (POD1) and POD3 and albumin on POD3.

RESULTS

Patients with surgical site infections (SSI) exhibited significantly higher CRP concentrations on POD1 and CRP and CAR on POD3 than did patients without SSI. According to receiver operating characteristic analysis, the CRP concentration on POD1 and the CRP and CAR on POD3 showed the highest area under the curve (AUC) for predicting SSI (AUC 0.639, 0.736, and 0.729, respectively). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that CRP on POD1 and CRP and CAR on POD3 were independent predictors of SSI (odds ratio 7.355, 7.605, and 8.337, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The CRP concentration on PO1 and CRP and CAR on POD3 can positively identify patients at low risk of SSI. They can be used as a prognostic tool to predict an uneventful post-operative period and therefore have been incorporate into our discharge criteria after elective colorectal resection, improving clinical decision-making.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts anastomotic dehiscence

BACKGROUND

Anastomotic dehiscence (AD) is the most feared complication following colonic and rectal anastomosis. Multiple attempts have been made to correlate the levels of biomarkers to the risk of AD. This study attempts to compare C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as predictors of AD.

METHOD

This case-controlled study collected data on patients undergoing colonic and rectal anastomosis over an 18-month period. Levels of CRP, PCT and NLR were recorded daily for the first 5 days post-operatively. These results were then compared between those who developed AD and those who did not.

RESULTS

A total of 136 patients were included; 11 (8.1%) patients developed AD. CRP and NLR were useful predictors of AD with an area under the curve of 0.81 and 0.78 on post-operative day 4. PCT was not found to be raised significantly higher in patients who developed AD compared to those who did not.

CONCLUSION

CRP and NLR are useful predictors of AD. PCT is not a useful predictor of AD.

Procalcitonin: Usefulness in Acute Care Surgery and Trauma

BACKGROUND

Procalcitonin (PCT) is a serum biomarker currently suggested by the Surviving Sepsis Campaign to aid in determination of the appropriate duration of therapy in sepsis patients. We review the use of procalcitonin in patients after trauma or acute care surgery.

METHOD

A MEDLINE search via PubMed was performed using the combination of "procalcitonin" and "humans" and "injuries, trauma," "wounds and injuries," or "wounds." Studies of burn patients, children, other biomarkers, and non-acute care surgery were excluded.

RESULTS

Procalcitonin may be useful in identifying infection in trauma and post-operative acute care surgery. However, heterogenity exists among patients, and surgery and trauma alone elevate PCT even in the absence of infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Although trends in PCT concentrations may offer insight, no standard approach can be recommended currently.

The role of procalcitonin in the diagnosis of bacterial infection after major abdominal surgery: Advantage from daily measurement

Postsurgical infections represent an important cause of morbidity after abdominal surgery. The microbiological diagnosis is not achieved in at least 30% of culture with consequent worsening of patient outcome. In this study, procalcitonin measurement, during the first 3 days after abdominal surgery, has been evaluated for the early diagnosis of postsurgical infection.Ninety consecutive patients subjected to major abdominal surgery at the University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, have been included. PCT concentrations were measured by time-resolved amplified cryptate emission (TRACE) assay at admission and at the first, second, and third day after surgery. PCT levels were compared using the Mann-Whitney test and by ANOVA test for variance analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to define the diagnostic ability of PCT in case of postsurgical infections.PCT values resulted significantly different between patients developing or not developing postsurgical infections. PCT >1.0 ng/mL at first or second day after surgery and >0.5 ng/mL at third day resulted diagnostic for infectious complication, whereas a value <0.5 ng/mL at the fifth day after surgery was useful for early and safety discharge of patients.In conclusion, PCT daily measurement could represent a useful diagnostic tool improving health care in the postsurgical period following major abdominal surgery and should be recommended.

C-reactive protein in predicting major postoperative complications are there differences in open and minimally invasive colorectal surgery? Substudy from a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

In search of improvement of patient assessment in the postoperative phase, C-reactive protein (CRP) is increasingly being studied as an early marker for postoperative complications following major abdominal surgery. Several studies reported an attenuated immune response in minimally invasive surgery, which might affect interpretation of postoperative CRP levels. The aim of the present study was to compare the value of CRP as a predictor for major postoperative complications in patients undergoing open versus laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

METHODS

A subgroup analysis from a randomized clinical trial (LAFA-trial) was performed, including all patients with non-metastasized colorectal cancer. In the LAFA trial, patients were randomized to open or laparoscopic segmental colectomy. In a subgroup of 79 patients of the LAFA trial, postoperative assessment of CRP levels was conducted routinely preoperatively and 1, 2, 24 and 72 h after surgery.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients were randomized to the open group and 42 patients to the laparoscopic group. Major complications occurred in 19% of laparoscopic procedures and 13.5% of open procedures (p = 0.776). CRP levels rise following surgical procedures. In uncomplicated cases, the rise in CRP levels was significantly lower at 24 and 72 h following laparoscopic resection in comparison to open resection. No differences in CRP levels were observed when comparing open and laparoscopic resection in patients with major complications.

CONCLUSION

In patients with an uncomplicated postoperative course, CRP levels were lower following minimally invasive resection, possibly due to decreased operative trauma. No differences in CRP were observed stratified for surgical technique in patients with major complications. These results suggest that CRP may be applied as a marker for major postoperative complications in both open and minimally invasive colorectal surgery. Future research should aim to assess the role of standardized postoperative CRP measurements.

Soluble Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells-1 and Inflammatory Markers in Colorectal Cancer Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background:

Major abdominal surgery, including colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery, leads to systemic inflammatory response syndrome that can be detected and monitored with inflammatory markers testing. The aims of the study were to evaluate the usefulness of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), procalcitonin (PCT), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in following the inflammatory response in CRC surgery and postoperative period, as well as to determine if duration of the surgery and the time that the colon has been opened during the surgery (open colon time [OCT]) reflect a larger surgical stress through inflammatory markers rise.

Methods:

The study included 20 patients who underwent CRC surgery and 19 healthy volunteers from June 2011 to September 2012. We determined inflammatory markers 1 day before surgery (T0), 24 h (T1), 48 h (T2), and 7 days after the surgery (T3). All statistical analyses were calculated using MedCalc Statistical Software version 14.8.1 (MedCalc Software bvba, Ostend, Belgium).

Results:

Concentrations of CRP, PCT, and IL-6 in all measurement times were statistically different and sTREM-1 did not yield statistical significance. A weak positive correlation was found between IL-6 in T1 and T2 with the duration of the surgery (T1: r = 0.4060, P < 0.0001; T2: r = 0.3430, P < 0.0001) and OCT (T1: r = 0.3640, P < 0.0001, T2: r = 0.3430, P < 0.0001). A weak positive correlation between CRP in T2 and OCT (r = 0.4210, P < 0.0001) was also found. The interconnectivity of tested parameters showed a weak positive correlation between CRP and IL-6 in T1 (r = 0.3680; P < 0.0001), moderate positive correlation in T2 (r = 0.6770; P < 0.0001), and a strong positive correlation in T3 (r = 0.8651; P < 0.0001).

Conclusions:

CRP, IL-6, and PCT were shown to be reliable for postoperative monitoring. Simultaneous determination of CRP and IL-6 might not be useful as they follow similar kinetics. sTREM-1 might not be useful in CRC postoperative monitoring.

Trial Registration:

www.ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01244022;https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01244022?term=01244022&rank=1.

Monitoring of procalcitonin but not interleukin-6 is useful for the early prediction of anastomotic leakage after colorectal surgery

BACKGROUND

Early recognition of patients who have developed anastomotic leakage (AL) after colorectal surgery is crucial for the successful treatment of this complication. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of the assessment of procalcitonin (PCT) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in the prognosis of AL.

METHODS

This observational study included 157 patients who underwent major elective colorectal surgery. The most common indications for surgery were cancer and inflammatory bowel diseases. Serum samples were obtained directly before surgery (D0) and 1 day (D1) after surgery, and the relationships between the serum concentrations of PCT and IL-6 and development of AL were assessed.

RESULTS

In total, 10.2% of patients developed post-surgical infections due to AL. PCT levels on D1 were significantly higher in patients who developed AL [2.73 (1.40-4.62)] than in those who recovered without complications [0.2 (0.09-0.44)]. The area under the ROC curve for PCT on D1 was 0.94, 95% CI (0.89-0.98). The sensitivity and specificity of the prediction of an infection were 87% and 87%, respectively, for PCT on D1, which was higher than 1.09 ng/mL. The increase in PCT concentration between D0 and D1 was significantly higher in patients with AL (p<0.001). Patients who developed AL had higher concentrations of IL-6 on D1, but the difference was not significant (p=0.28).

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms that surgical trauma increases serum PCT concentrations and that the concentration of PCT on D1 can predict AL after colorectal surgery. However, IL-6 is not a good early marker for developing AL.

The role of preoperative C-reactive protein and procalcitonin as predictors of post-pancreaticoduodenectomy infective complications: A prospective observational study

INTRODUCTION

The common causes of morbidity after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) are infective complications. Till date, no specific preoperative markers have been identified to determine the probability of developing infective complications. We have studied the factors predicting the occurrence of the infective complication/s in the present study.

METHODS

The present prospective observational study included 133 consecutive patients who underwent PD from January 2011 to June 2016 at a specialized hepatopancreaticobiliary surgical oncology unit. The surgeries were done using a standardized technique. Postoperative complications were segregated into two categories-(a) infective (e.g. cholangitis) and (b) non-infective (e.g. delayed gastric emptying). Increased age, preoperative serum albumin levels, preoperative biliary stenting, pre-stenting serum bilirubin levels, duration of common bile duct stenting, preoperative C-reactive protein [CRP], and procalcitonin [PCT] were evaluated.

RESULTS

Overall morbidity rate was 48.8%. Morbidity associated with infective complications was 21.8%. Increased age, preoperative serum albumin levels, and pre-stenting serum bilirubin levels did not increase the rate of the infective complications. The association between preoperative PCT and preoperative CRP with the infective complications was significant with a p-value of <0.01 (6.75E-07) and <0.01 (4.80E-10), respectively. In the multivariate analysis, only the elevated preoperative procalcitonin was a statistically significant predictor of postoperative infective complications.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative PCT and CRP levels done 48 h before surgery are sensitive, specific, easily available, and cost-effective predictors of infective complications after PD.

Perioperative Increase in Neutrophil CD64 Expression is an Indicator for Intra-abdominal Infection after Colorectal Cancer Surgery

BACKGROUND

Colorectal surgery is associated with a high incidence of postoperative infections. Early clinical signs are difficult to distinguish from the systemic inflammatory response related to surgical trauma. Timely diagnosis may significantly improve the outcome. The objective of this study was to compare a new biomarker index CD64 for neutrophils (iCD64n) with standard biomarkers, white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) for the early detection of postoperative infection.

METHODS

The prospective study included 200 consecutive patients with elective colorectal cancer surgery. Postoperative values of biomarkers from the postoperative day (POD) 1 to POD5 were analysed by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to predict infection. The Cox regression model and the Kaplan-Meier method were used to assess prognostic factors and survival.

RESULTS

The increase of index CD64n (iCD64n) after surgery, expressed as the ratio iCD64n after/before surgery was a better predictor of infection than its absolute value. The best 30-day predictors of all infections were CRP on POD4 (AUC 0.72, 99% CI 0.61-0.83) and NLR on POD5 (AUC 0.69, 99% CI 0.57-0.80). The best 15-day predictors of organ/space surgical site infection (SSI) were the ratio iCD64n on POD1 (AUC 0.72, 99% CI 0.58-0.86), POD3 (AUC 0.73, 99% CI 0.59-0.87) and CRP on POD3 (AUC 0.72, 99% CI 0.57-0.86), POD4 (AUC 0.79, 99% CI 0.64-0.93). In a multivariate analysis independent risk factors for infections were duration of surgery and perioperative transfusion while the infection itself was identified as a risk factor for a worse long-term survival.

CONCLUSIONS

The ratio iCD64n on POD1 is the best early predictor of intra-abdominal infection after colorectal cancer surgery. CRP predicts the infection with the same predictive value on POD3.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Procalcitonin and C-reactive Protein for the Early Diagnosis of Intra-abdominal Infection After Elective Colorectal Surgery: A Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) after elective colorectal surgery impact significantly the short- and long-term outcomes. In the era of fast-track surgery, they often come to light after discharge from hospital. Early diagnosis is therefore essential. C-reactive protein levels have proved to be accurate in this setting. Procalcitonin has been evaluated in several studies with conflicting results. This meta-analysis aimed to compare the predictive abilities of C-reactive protein and procalcitonin in the occurrence of IAIs after elective colorectal surgery.

METHODS

This meta-analysis included studies analyzing C-reactive protein and/or procalcitonin levels at postoperative days 2, 3, 4, and/or 5 as markers of intra-abdominal infection after elective colorectal surgery. Methodological quality was assessed by the QUADAS2 tool. The area under the curve summary receiver-operating characteristic was calculated for each day and each biomarker, using a random-effects model in cases of heterogeneity.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis included 11 studies (2692 patients). An IAI occurred in 8.9% of the patients. On postoperative day 3, area under the curve was 0.80 (95% CI, 0.76-0.85) for C-reactive protein and 0.78 (95% CI, 0.68-0.87) for procalcitonin. On postoperative day 5, their predictive accuracies were 0.87 (95% CI, 0.80-0.93) and 0.90 (95% CI, 0.82-0.98), respectively. The accuracy of C-reactive protein and procalcitonin did not differ at any postoperative day.

CONCLUSIONS

Levels of inflammatory markers under the cutoff value between postoperative days 3 and 5 ensure safe early discharge after elective colorectal surgery. Procalcitonin seems not to have added value as compared to C-reactive protein in this setting.

Clinical evaluation of C-reactive protein and procalcitonin for the early detection of postoperative complications after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

INTRODUCTION

Among the most common early complications after bariatric surgery are anastomosis leak and bleeding. In order to react quickly and perform accurate treatment before the clinical signs appear, early predictors should be found. In the study C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) levels were investigated. Characterized by a relatively short half-life, they can predict surgical complications.

AIM

To develop and implement certain standards for early detection of complications.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study involved 319 adults who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) as a surgical intervention for morbid obesity at the Department of General Surgery of Ceynowa Hospital in Wejherowo. Every patient had CRP and PCT levels measured before the surgery and on the 1^st and 2^nd postoperative day (POD).

RESULTS

Early postoperative complications occurred in 19 (5.96%) patients. Septic and non-septic complications occurred in 3 and 16 patients respectively. Among the patients with septic postoperative complications CRP level increased significantly on the 2^nd POD compared to the remainder (p = 0.0221). Among the patients with non-septic postoperative complications CRP level increased significantly on the 1^st and 2^nd POD compared to the remainder. Among the patients with septic and non-septic postoperative complications PCT level increased significantly on the 2^nd POD compared to the remainder.

CONCLUSIONS

The CRP and PCT level are supposed to be relevant diagnostic markers to predict non-septic and septic complications after LSG.

Value of procalcitonin as a biomarker for postoperative hospital-acquired pneumonia after abdominal surgery

Background

Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is a common complication after abdominal surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) as early biomarkers for the diagnosis of postoperative HAP after abdominal surgery.

Methods

This study was conducted on 100 patients undergoing abdominal surgery. White blood cell counts, highest body temperature, and serum levels of CRP and PCT were recorded preoperatively and daily postoperatively until postoperative day (POD) 5. Chest radiography was performed preoperatively and daily postoperatively until POD 5.

Results

HAP was diagnosed in 14% of patients. Regarding the biomarkers studied after POD 1, CRP and PCT were significantly higher in patients with HAP than in those without HAP (P < 0.05). On POD 2, PCT had higher sensitivity and specificity (84% and 72%, respectively) than those for CPR (70% and 60%, respectively). The cut-off value of PCT on POD 2 was 1.4 ng/ml. On POD 3, 4, and 5, the sensitivity and specificity of PCT and CRP were not significantly different.

Conclusions

PCT and CRP are accurate biomarkers for early prediction of postoperative HAP after abdominal surgery. The diagnostic ability of PCT was significantly better than that of CRP on POD 2. After POD 2, the diagnostic ability was not significantly different between the biomarkers.

Comparison between procalcitonin and C-reactive protein in predicting bacteremias and confounding factors: a case-control study

Background:

The detection of infectious bacteria in blood culture samples is important for diagnosis and treatment, but this requires 1–2 days at least, and is not adequate as a rapid test. Therefore, we have investigated the diagnostic ability and the optimal cutoff value of procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) for predicting the bacteremias using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and relative cumulative frequency distribution (RCD) curves.

Methods:

A case-control study was performed in inpatients (852 subjects: 426 positive cultures and 426 negative cultures) from January 1 to December 31, 2014. We retrospectively investigated their blood culture and blood chemistry findings recorded in this period using electronic medical records.

Results:

Area under the ROC curve of PCT and CRP were 0.79 and 0.66, respectively. The optimal cutoff values were 0.5 μg/L with a sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 70% for PCT and 50.0 mg/L with a sensitivity of 63% and specificity of 65% for CRP. When the optimal cutoff value was treated as a reference, the odds ratio (OR) was 71.11 and the hazard ratio (HR) was 6.27 for PCT >2.0 μg/L, and the risk of blood culture positivity was markedly elevated. PCT levels were significantly higher in the population with Gram-negative rod (GNR) infections than in the population with Gram-positive coccal (GPC) infections.

Conclusions:

The elevation of CRP and PCT were significantly associated with bacteremias. PCT was superior to CRP as a diagnostic indicator for predicting bacteremias, for discriminating bacterial from nonbacterial infections, and for determining bacterial species.

Prediction of procalcitonin for postoperative intraabdominal infections after definitive operation of intestinal fistulae

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory biomarkers usually start to rise earlier before the infection becomes clinically evident. This study was designed to evaluate the predictive performance of procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), and white blood cell (WBC) counts in postoperative intraabdominal infections (IAIs) after definitive operation of intestinal fistulae.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We prospectively enrolled a total of 356 consecutive patients who underwent elective digestive tract reconstruction for gastrointestinal fistulae without existing clinical infection. Plasma PCT levels, serum CRP concentration, and WBC counts were assessed preoperatively and on postoperative days (PODs) 1, 3, 5, and 7. The predictive value of each laboratory marker for IAIs was calculated.

RESULTS

The occurrence rate of IAIs after elective digestive tract reconstruction for gastrointestinal fistulae in our study was 7.3%. Both PCT levels and WBC counts were significantly higher in patients with IAIs than those in patients without IAIs on POD 1, POD 3, and POD 5, whereas CRP levels differed significantly on POD 3 and POD 5. Receiver-operating characteristics demonstrated that PCT on POD 3 had the highest diagnostic accuracy for IAIs, and the area under the curve reached 0.86, with a sensitivity of 92.0% and specificity of 74.0%.

CONCLUSIONS

The value of PCT above 0.98 ng/L on POD 3 and 0.83 ng/L on POD 5 could predict the occurrence of IAIs after definitive operations for intestinal fistulae.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Inflammatory Markers As Early Predictors of Infection After Elective Colorectal Surgery: Results From the IMACORS Study

BACKGROUND

Intra-abdominal infections are frequent and life-threatening complications after colorectal surgery. An early detection could diminish their clinical impact and permit safe early discharge.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to find the most accurate marker for the detection of postoperative intra-abdominal infection and the appropriate moment to measure it.

METHODS

A prospective, observational study was conducted in 3 centers. Consecutive patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery with anastomosis were included. C-reactive protein and procalcitonin were measured daily until the fourth postoperative day. Postoperative infections were recorded according to the definitions of the Centres for Diseases Control. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve were analyzed and compared to assess the diagnostic accuracy of each marker.

RESULTS

Five-hundred and one patients were analyzed. The incidence of intra-abdominal infection was 11.8%, with 24.6% of patients presenting at least one infectious complication. Overall mortality was 1.2%. At the fourth postoperative day, C-reactive protein was more discriminating than procalcitonin for the detection of intra-abdominal infection (areas under the ROC curve: 0.775 vs 0.689, respectively, P = 0.03). Procalcitonin levels showed wide dispersion. For the detection of all infectious complications, C-reactive protein was also significantly more accurate than procalcitonin on the fourth postoperative day (areas under the ROC curve: 0.783 vs 0.671, P = 0.0002).

CONCLUSIONS

C-reactive protein is more accurate than procalcitonin for the detection of infectious complications and should be systematically measured at the fourth postoperative day. It is a useful tool to ensure a safe early discharge after elective colorectal surgery.

Post-Operative Infection Is an Independent Risk Factor for Worse Long-Term Survival after Colorectal Cancer Surgery

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer surgery is associated with a high incidence of post-operative infections, the outcome of which may be improved if diagnosed and treated early enough. We compared white blood cell (WBC) count, C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin (PCT) as predictors of post-operative infections and analyzed their impact on long-term survival.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 186 patients undergoing colorectal surgery. Post-operative values of WBC, CRP, and PCT were analyzed by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. We followed infections 30 d after the surgery. A five-year survival was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method and prognostic factors by Cox regression model.

RESULTS

Fifty-five patients (29.5%) developed post-operative infection, the most frequent of which was surgical site infection (SSI). C-reactive protein on post-operative day three and PCT on post-operative day two demonstrated the highest diagnostic accuracy for infection (area under the curve [AUC] 0.739 and 0.735). C-reactive protein on post-operative day three was an independent predictor of infection. Five-year survival was higher in the non-infected group (70.8%), compared with the infected group (52.1%). The worst survival (40.9%) was identified in patients with organ/space SSI. Post-operative infection and tumor stage III-IV were independent predictors of a worse five-year survival.

CONCLUSIONS

C-reactive protein on post-operative day three and PCT on post-operative day two may be early predictors of infection after colorectal cancer surgery. Post-operative infections in particular organ/space SSI have a negative impact on long-term survival.

C-Reactive Protein and Procalcitonin as Predictors of Postoperative Inflammatory Complications After Pancreatic Surgery

BACKGROUND

The association between postoperative inflammatory markers and risk of complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is controversial. We sought to assess the diagnostic value of perioperative C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) levels in the early identification of patients at risk for complications after PD.

METHODS

In 2014, 84 patients undergoing elective PD were enrolled in a prospective database. Clinicopathological characteristics, CRP and PCT, as well as short-term outcomes, such as complications and pancreatic fistula, were analyzed. Complications and pancreatic fistula were defined based on the Clavien-Dindo classification and the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula (ISGPF) classification, respectively. High CRP and PCT were classified using cut-off values based on ROC curve analysis.

RESULTS

The majority (73.8 %) of patients had pancreatic adenocarcinoma. CRP and PCT levels over the first 5 postoperative days (POD) were higher among patients who experienced a complication versus those who did not (p < 0.001). Postoperative CRP and PCT levels were also higher among patients who developed a grade B or C pancreatic fistula (p < 0.05). A CRP concentration >84 mg/l on POD 1 (AUC 0.77) and >127 mg/l on POD 3 (AUC 0.79) was associated with the highest risk of overall complications (OR 6.86 and 9.0, respectively; both p < 0.001). Similarly patients with PCT >0.7 mg/dl on POD 1 (AUC 0.67) were at higher risk of developing a postoperative complication (OR 3.33; p = 0.024). On POD 1, a CRP >92 mg/l (AUC 0.72) and a PCT >0.4 mg/dl (AUC 0.70) were associated with the highest risk of pancreatic fistula (OR 5.63 and 5.62, respectively; both p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

CRP and PCT concentration were associated with an increased risk of developing complications and clinical relevant pancreatic fistula after PD. Use of these biomarkers may help identify those patients at highest risk for perioperative morbidity and help guide postoperative management of patients undergoing PD.

suPAR remains uninfluenced by surgery in septic patients with bloodstream infection

Surgical trauma induces activation of the immune system and may cause an increase of inflammatory biomarkers tested postoperatively in septic patients treated for bloodstream infection. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of surgical interventions on the novel sepsis biomarker soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) and to compare results with those of routine laboratory parameters CRP, PCT, and IL-6 in patients with culture-proven bloodstream infection. Forty-six adult patients with positive blood culture undergoing minor or major surgical intervention were investigated, 12 blood culture positive patients served as control group. Blood was collected 24 hours before and after surgical intervention for determination of the sepsis biomarkers suPAR, CRP, PCT, and IL-6. Within the surgical study cohort, a non-significant increase of suPAR, CRP, and PCT was observed postoperatively (p 0.642; p 0.773; p 0.087). In contrast, a slight decrease of IL-6 (p 0.599) was observed. A significant correlation was calculated for the pre- and postoperative difference of CRP (p 0.028) and PCT (p 0.008) and type of surgical intervention received: after minor surgical intervention only PCT decreased significantly (p<0.001), while after major surgical interventions no significant differences were observed for all biomarkers evaluated. In the control group, a significant decrease of CRP (p 0.005) and PCT (p 0.005) was observed. In patients treated adequately for bloodstream infections, postoperative suPAR levels remained uninfluenced of the surgical trauma and might therefore be a reliable parameter for postoperative infectious monitoring. After minor surgical intervention, PCT seems to be the most reliable parameter.

Implications of preoperative hypoalbuminemia in colorectal surgery

Serum albumin has traditionally been used as a quantitative measure of a patient’s nutritional status because of its availability and low cost. While malnutrition has a clear definition within both the American and European Societies for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition clinical guidelines, individual surgeons often determine nutritional status anecdotally. Preoperative albumin level has been shown to be the best predictor of mortality after colorectal cancer surgery. Specifically in colorectal surgical patients, hypoalbuminemia significantly increases the length of hospital stay, rates of surgical site infections, enterocutaneous fistula risk, and deep vein thrombosis formation. The delay of surgical procedures to allow for preoperative correction of albumin levels in hypoalbuminemic patients has been shown to improve the morbidity and mortality in patients with severe nutritional risk. The importance of preoperative albumin levels and the patient’s chronic inflammatory state on the postoperative morbidity and mortality has led to the development of a variety of surgical scoring systems to predict outcomes efficiently. This review attempts to provide a systematic overview of albumin and its role and implications in colorectal surgery.

Comparison of Intraoperative Indicators and Postoperative Efficacy in Treatment of Benign Ovarian Tumor: Laparoscopy Versus Open Surgery

This study aimed to compare intraoperative indicators and postoperative efficacy between laparoscopy and open surgery managing benign ovarian tumors. A total of 180 patients with benign ovarian tumor were enrolled; 105 underwent laparoscopy (LA group) and 75 underwent open surgery (OS group). Postoperative parameters were recorded. Preoperative and postoperative serum follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and estradiol (E2) levels were determined using a BHP9507 chemiluminescence analyzer. The preoperative and postoperative serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level was examined using a QuikRead go CRP analyzer. Serum white blood cell and neutrophil (Ne) percentage were determined using an XT-2000i hematology analyzer. Compared with the OS group, intraoperative blood loss was less and the postoperative anal exhaust time, active time spent out of bed, length of hospitalization, time of indwelling catheter, and time of body temperature returning to normal were shorter in the LA group (all P < 0.001); the number of cases of intraoperative and postoperative complications and analgesia was less in the LA group (all P < 0.05). Six months after operation, serum follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and E2 levels in the LA group were higher than those in the OS group (all P < 0.05). On day 1 and day 3 after operation, serum white blood cell and CRP levels and Ne percentage in the LA group were lower than those in the OS group (all P < 0.05). Laparoscopy is efficient and safe for managing benign ovarian tumors with comparable results to open surgery, and it is able to alleviate postoperative inflammation and minimize damage to the ovaries.

Validation in colorectal procedures of a useful novel approach for the use of C-reactive protein in postoperative infectious complications

AIM

Our aim was to validate a novel use of C-reactive protein (CRP) measurement to identify postoperative infectious complications in patients undergoing colorectal surgery, and to compare the predictive value in this setting against white blood cell (WBC) count and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR).

METHOD

This was a retrospective study of CRP, NLR and WBC measurements in patients undergoing colorectal surgery. CRP, NLR and WBC were recorded on the second postoperative day and on the day of infectious complication (patients who developed infectious complications) or within 3 days prior to discharge (subjects with no complications). The test for detecting infectious complications consisted of comparing the value of the inflammatory marker on the day on which a complication was suspected against the value recorded on the second postoperative day. The test was considered positive if a given value was higher than the registered peak at postoperative day 2. Factors influencing the postoperative peak CRP were also studied.

RESULTS

A total of 254 patients were retrospectively studied. Patients whose CRP value was higher than on the second postoperative day had a diagnostic accuracy for infectious complications of up to 94.4% and sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of up to 97.4%, 93.4%, 85.7% and 99.1%, respectively. Poorer results were observed when WBC count and NLR were used rather than CRP measurement. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that surgical procedure and approach, as well as additional resections, were independent factors for 48 h peak CRP.

CONCLUSION

C-reactive protein is a better parameter than WBC count and NLR for detecting infectious complications. Our proposed methodology presents good diagnostic accuracy and performance and could potentially be used for any surgical procedure.

Factors affecting serum albumin in the perioperative period of colorectal surgery: a retrospective study

Background

Albumin is considered a negative acute-phase protein because its concentration decreases during injury and sepsis. Hypoalbuminemia is a risk factor for mortality, postoperative complications, and prolonged hospital stay. The magnitude of the systemic inflammatory response during the perioperative period, as indicated by the acute-phase proteins—C-reactive protein (CRP) in particular—, may help identify the risk of postoperative infectious complication. The correlation between serum albumin and CRP with gastrointestinal cancer has been reported. However, it is unclear whether antecedent CRP could be utilized to predict future hypoalbuminemia in the perioperative period in colorectal surgery. The primary endpoint of this study was to reveal that antecedent CRP could be utilized to predict future hypoalbuminemia in the perioperative period of colorectal surgery.

Methods

Thirty-seven patients who underwent elective open colorectal surgery were included in this study. Correlations between preoperative CRP and serum albumin on postoperative day (POD) 3, between preoperative CRP and serum albumin on POD 7 and between CRP on POD 3 and serum albumin on POD 7 were examined. Relationships between preoperative CRP and hypoalbuminemia on POD 3, between preoperative CRP and hypoalbuminemia on POD 7 and between CRP on POD 3 and hypoalbuminemia on POD 7 were examined by receiver operating characteristic analysis.

Results

Three-quarters of patients were older than 65 years of age. Significant correlations were observed between preoperative CRP and serum albumin on POD 3 (p = 0.023), between preoperative CRP and serum albumin on POD 7 (p = 0.023) and between CRP on POD 3 and serum albumin on POD 7 (p < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of CRP on POD 3 to development of hypoalbuminemia on POD 7 was 0.833 (95 % CI 0.679–0.987) with an optimal threshold of 12.43 mg/dL, sensitivity 75 % and specificity 80 %.

Conclusions

The present study revealed that antecedent CRP was associated with future serum albumin. Additionally, CRP on POD 3 could be useful in predicting the development of hypoalbuminemia on POD 7. This result suggests that CRP on POD 3 may be a valuable indicator for early nutritional intervention.

Procalcitonin levels predict infectious complications and response to treatment in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery for peritoneal malignancy

BACKGROUND

Cytoreductive-surgery for peritoneal-malignancy (PM) involves extensive intra-abdominal surgery and a massive post-operative systemic-inflammatory-response (SIRS). It is often challenging to differentiate SIRS that are solely surgery-associated from those of post-operative infections. White-Cell-Counts (WCC) and C-Reactive-Protein (CRP) are routinely used as markers for infection, but are non-specific and their elevation is often delayed in PM cases. Other markers need to be evaluated to assist early identification/prediction of post-operative infections.

METHODOLOGY

Prospective evaluation of serum procalcitonin (PCT), CRP and WCC in 50 patients pre-operatively (Day0), and on post-operative days (POD) 1, 3 & 6, following cytoreductive-surgery with or without splenectomy.

RESULTS

Day0 PCT, CRP and WCC values were within normal limits, but increasing physiologically in post-operative period without infection, with noticeable higher PCT in splenectomized patients. In our cohort post-operative infections were diagnosed in 14 patients, often within 48 h. There was a trend for faster rise in serum PCT on POD1 compared to CRP and WCC, and faster PCT decline following appropriate therapy on POD3 and POD6 when infected cases were clinically resolving while WCC and CRP continued to rise, particularly in non-spelenectomised patients. The AUC on POD1 was significantly higher for PCT (0.689) vs. WCC (0.476) and CRP (0.477) (p = 0.04). Sensitivity, specificity, positive-predictive-value and negative-predictive-values for PCT ranged between (57%-100%), (22%-74%), (33%-47%) & (81%-100%), for CRP (28%-78%), (5.5%-86%), (18%-44.4%) & (40%-75.5%) and for WCC (14%-26.5%), (65.5-80.5%), (22%-25%), (67%-70%) respectively.

CONCLUSION

PCT, like WCC and CRP, needs to be interpreted with extreme cautions in the context of infections post-cytoreductive-surgery and should only be used in association with other clinical and investigational findings.

The PRECious trial PREdiction of Complications, a step-up approach, CRP first followed by CT-scan imaging to ensure quality control after major abdominal surgery: study protocol for a stepped-wedge trial

Background

After major abdominal surgery (MAS), 20 % of patients endure major complications, which require invasive treatment and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. A quality control algorithm after major abdominal surgery aimed at early identification of patients at risk of developing major complications can decrease associated morbidity and mortality. Literature studies show promising results for C-reactive protein (CRP) as an early marker for postoperative complications, however clinical significance has yet to be determined.

Methods

A multicenter, stepped wedge, prospective clinical trial including all adult patients planned to undergo elective MAS. The first period consists of standard postoperative monitoring, which entails on demand additional examinations. This is followed by a period with implementation of postoperative control according to the PRECious protocol, which implicates standardized measurement of CRP levels. If CRP levels exceed 140 mg/L on postoperative day 3,4 or 5, an enhanced CT-scan is performed.

Primary outcome in this study is a combined primary outcome, entailing all morbidity and mortality due to postoperative complications. Complications are graded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Secondary outcomes are hospital length of stay, patients reported outcome measures (PROMs) and cost-effectiveness. Data will be collected during admission, three months and one year postoperatively. Approval by the medical ethics committee of the VU University Medical Center was obtained (ID 2015.114).

Discussion

the PRECious trial is a stepped-wedge, multicenter, open label, prospective clinical trial to determine the effect of a standardized postoperative quality control algorithm on postoperative morbidity and mortality, and cost-effectiveness.

Trial registration

www.ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02102217. Registered 5 February 2015.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0903-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Predictive Value of C-Reactive Protein for Major Complications after Major Abdominal Surgery: A Systematic Review and Pooled-Analysis

Background

Early diagnosis and treatment of complications after major abdominal surgery can decrease associated morbidity and mortality. Postoperative CRP levels have shown a strong correlation with complications. Aim of this systematic review and pooled-analysis was to assess postoperative values of CRP as a marker for major complications and construct a prediction model.

Study design

A systematic review was performed for CRP levels as a predictor for complications after major abdominal surgery (MAS). Raw data was obtained from seven studies, including 1427 patients. A logit regression model assessed the probability of major complications as a function of CRP levels on the third postoperative day. Two practical cut-offs are proposed: an optimal cut-off for safe discharge in a fast track protocol and another for early identification of patients with increased risk for major complications.

Results

A prediction model was calculated for major complications as a function of CRP levels on the third postoperative day. Based on the model several cut-offs for CRP are proposed. For instance, a two cut-off system may be applied, consisting of a safe discharge criterion with CRP levels below 75 mg/L, with a negative predictive value of 97.2%. A second cut-off is set at 215 mg/L (probability 20%) and serves as a predictor of complications, indicating additional CT-scan imaging.

Conclusions

The present study provides insight in the interpretation of CRP levels after major abdominal surgery, proposing a prediction model for major complications as a function of CRP on postoperative day 3. Cut-offs for CRP may be implemented for safe early-discharge in a fast-track protocol and, secondly as a threshold for additional examinations, such as CT-scan imaging, even in absence of clinical signs, to confirm or exclude major complications. The prediction model allows for setting a cut-off at the discretion of individual surgeons or surgical departments.

Searching for predictors of surgical complications in critically ill surgery patients in the intensive care unit: a review

We reviewed the use of the levels of C-reactive protein, lactate and procalcitonin and/or the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score to determine their diagnostic accuracy for predicting surgical complications in critically ill general post-surgery patients. Included were all studies published in PubMed from inception to July 2013 that met the following inclusion criteria: evaluation of the above parameters, describing their diagnostic accuracy and the risk stratification for surgical complications in surgical patients admitted to an intensive care unit. No difference in the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores was seen between patients with or without complications. The D-lactate levels were significantly higher in those who developed colonic ischemic complications after a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. After gastro-intestinal surgery, contradictory data were reported, with both positive and negative use of C-reactive protein and procalcitonin in the diagnosis of septic complications. However, in trauma patients, the C-reactive protein levels may help to discriminate between those with and without infectious causes. We conclude that the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, lactate concentration and C-reactive protein level have no significant predictive value for early postoperative complications in critically ill post-surgery patients. However, procalcitonin seems to be a useful parameter for diagnosing complications in specific patient populations after surgery and/or after trauma.

Diagnostic value of C-reactive protein to rule out infectious complications after major abdominal surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Infectious complications occur frequently after major abdominal surgery and have a major influence on patient outcome and hospital costs. A marker that can rule out postoperative infectious complications (PICs) could aid patient selection for safe and early hospital discharge. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a widely available, fast, and cheap marker that might be of value in detecting PIC. Present meta-analysis evaluates the diagnostic value of CRP to rule out PIC following major abdominal surgery, aiding patient selection for early discharge.

METHODS

A systematic literature search of Medline, PubMed, and Cochrane was performed identifying all prospective studies evaluating the diagnostic value of CRP after abdominal surgery. Meta-analysis was performed according to the PRISMA statement.

RESULTS

Twenty-two studies were included for qualitative analysis of which 16 studies were eligible for meta-analysis, representing 2215 patients. Most studies analyzed the value of CRP in colorectal surgery (eight studies). The pooled negative predictive value (NPV) improved each day after surgery up to 90% at postoperative day (POD) 3 for a pooled CRP cutoff of 159 mg/L (range 92-200). Maximum predictive values for PICs were reached on POD 5 for a pooled CRP cutoff of 114 mg/L (range 48-150): a pooled sensitivity of 86% (95% confidence interval (CI) 79-91%), specificity of 86% (95% CI 75-92%), and a positive predictive value of 64% (95% CI 49-77%). The pooled sensitivity and specificity were significantly higher on POD 5 than on other PODs (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Infectious complications after major abdominal surgery are very unlikely in patients with a CRP below 159 mg/L on POD 3. This can aid patient selection for safe and early hospital discharge and prevent overuse of imaging.

Diagnostic accuracy of C-reactive protein and procalcitonin in the early detection of infection after elective colorectal surgery - a pilot study

Background

Colorectal surgery is associated with postoperative infectious complications in up to 40% of cases, but the diagnosis of these complications is frequently misleading, delaying its resolution. Several biomarkers have been shown to be useful in infection diagnosis.

Methods

We conducted a single-centre, prospective, observational study segregating patients submitted to elective colorectal surgery with primary anastomosis, CRP and PCT were measured daily. We compared infected and non-infected patients.

Results

From October 2009 to June 2011, a total of 50 patients were included. Twenty-one patients developed infection. PCT and CRP before surgery were equally low in patients with or without postoperative infectious complications. After surgery, both PCT and CRP increased markedly. CRP time-course from the day of surgery onwards was significantly different in infected and non-infected patients (P = 0.001) whereas, PCT time-course was almost parallel in both groups (P = 0.866). Multiple comparisons between infected and non-infected patients from 5^th to 9^th postoperative days (POD) were performed and CRP concentration was significantly different (P < 0.01, Bonferroni correction), on the 6^th, 7^th and 8^th POD. A CRP concentration > 5.0 mg/dl at the D6 was predictive of infection with a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 62% (positive likelihood ratio 2.2, negative likelihood ratio 0.2).

Conclusions

After a major elective surgical insult both CRP and PCT serum levels increased independently of the presence of infection. Besides serum CRP time-course showed to be useful in the early detection of an infectious complication whereas PCT was unhelpful.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2334-14-444) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Inflammatory markers as predictors of surgical site infection after elective colorectal cancer surgery

We raise some doubts regarding the methods, results and conclusions obtained by Takakura et al. in their article published in the August's issue of the journal about the use of inflammatory markers as early predictors of surgical infection after colorectal cancer surgery.