Background:

The use of C-reactive protein (CRP) has gained relevance as a marker of marker of postoperative complications. As the incidence of complications of colorectal surgery is estimated to be of 30%, measures should for their early identification and treatment.

Objective:

To describe the performance of consecutive CRP determinations and their relationship with the development of postoperative complications and with white blood cell count in a series of patients undergoing colorectal surgery.

Materials and methods:

A retrospective review was performed using a prospective registry of 2205 patients operated on at the Department of Digestive Surgery of Hospital de Clínicas, between January 2019 and July 2020. A total of 69 patients fulfilling the selection criteria were included. Clinical follow-up data, CRP levels, white blood cell count, type of approach and development of complications were recorded.

Results:

Mean age was 59 years (SD 13.6; range 33-85) and 31 were men (43%). The complication rate was 13.04%. Anastomotic leak (fistula, fluid collection) was the most common complication, followed by surgical site complications (hematoma, evisceration). All patients showed an initial increase in CRP values between days 2 and 3, in relation with the surgical lesion, and then decreased in those without complications. Patients with complications had second rise or lack of decrease in serial CRP measurements, and higher CRP values each day. There were statistically significant differences between the CRP levels on postoperative day 5 in the subgroup of patients with complications compared with those with an indolent course (28 mg/dL vs. 6.1 mg/dL, p < 0.001; CI: 11.24-39.61). There was a significant difference on day 5 between patients with and without complications, irrespective of the approach. With a cut-off value of CRP of 10.92 mg/dL on postoperative day 5 we obtained a sensitivity of 87.50% and specificity of 100% to rule out complications.

Conclusions:

Serial determination of CRP in the postoperative period after colorectal surgery was associated with early identification of complications in our series, both in daily absolute values and in the kinetics of its performance. The use of cut-off values for safe discharge is proposed.

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