• C-reactive protein (CRP)
• CRP ratios
• estimated blood loss (EBL)
• healthcare costs
• postoperative complications
• rectal cancer surgery
• surgical approach

• anastomosis
• biochemistry
• biomarkers
• c-reactive protein
• clinical chemistry
• colorectal
• systematic review

• Bariatric surgery
• CBC biomarkers
• Complications
• Inflammatory biomarkers

• Humans
• Biomarkers/blood
• Bariatric Surgery/adverse effects
• Postoperative Complications/blood
• Postoperative Complications/etiology
• Obesity, Morbid/surgery
• Obesity, Morbid/blood
• Obesity, Morbid/complications
• C-Reactive Protein/analysis
• C-Reactive Protein/metabolism
• Female
• Predictive Value of Tests

• C-reactive protein
• colorectal cancer
• post-operative complications

• C-reactive protein
• Ileal pouch
• Ileocecal resection
• Morbidity

• Humans
• C-Reactive Protein/metabolism
• Retrospective Studies
• Anastomotic Leak/diagnosis
• Anastomotic Leak/etiology
• Anastomotic Leak/epidemiology
• Colectomy/adverse effects
• Biomarkers
• Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/surgery
• Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/complications
• Postoperative Complications/diagnosis
• Postoperative Complications/etiology
• Postoperative Complications/surgery

• Anastomotic leakage
• CT imaging
• Clinical characteristics
• Low anterior resection

Colorectal anastomotic leakage (CAL) is one of the most dreaded complications after colorectal surgery, with an incidence that can be as high as 27%. This event is associated with increased morbidity and mortality; therefore, its early diagnosis is crucial to reduce clinical consequences and costs. Some biomarkers have been suggested as laboratory tools for the diagnosis of CAL.

To assess the usefulness of plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and calprotectin (CLP) as early predictors of CAL.

A prospective monocentric observational study was conducted including patients who underwent colorectal resection with anastomosis, from March 2017 to August 2019. Patients were divided into three groups: G1 – no complications; G2 – complications not related to CAL; and G3 – CAL. Five biomarkers were measured and analyzed in the first 5 postoperative days (PODs), namely white blood cell (WBC) count, eosinophil cell count (ECC), CRP, CLP, and procalcitonin (PCT). Clinical criteria, such as abdominal pain and clinical condition, were also assessed. The correlation between biomarkers and CAL was evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to compare the accuracy of these biomarkers as predictors of CAL, and the area under the ROC curve (AUROC), specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value (NPV) during this period were estimated.

In total, 25 of 396 patients developed CAL (6.3%), and the mean time for this diagnosis was 9.0 ± 6.8 d. Some operative characteristics, such as surgical approach, blood loss, intraoperative complications, and duration of the procedure, were notably related to the development of CAL. The length of hospital stay was markedly higher in the group that developed CAL compared with the group with complications other than CAL and the group with no complications (median of 21 d vs 13 d and 7 d respectively; P < 0.001). For abdominal pain, the best predictive performance was on POD4 and POD5, with the largest AUROC of 0.84 on POD4. Worsening of the clinical condition was associated with the diagnosis of CAL, presenting a higher predictive effect on POD5, with an AUROC of 0.9. WBC and ECC showed better predictive effects on POD5 (AUROC = 0.62 and 0.7, respectively). Those markers also presented a high NPV (94%-98%). PCT had the best predictive effect on POD5 (AUROC = 0.61), although it presented low accuracy. However, this biomarker revealed a high NPV on POD3, POD4, and POD5 (96%, 95%, and 96%, respectively). The mean CRP value on POD5 was significantly higher in the group that developed CAL compared with the group without complications (195.5 ± 139.9 mg/L vs 59.5 ± 43.4 mg/L; P < 0.00001). On POD5, CRP had a NPV of 98%. The mean CLP value on POD3 was significantly higher in G3 compared with G1 (5.26 ± 3.58 μg/mL vs 11.52 ± 6.81 μg/mL; P < 0.00005). On POD3, the combination of CLP and CRP values showed a high diagnostic accuracy (AUROC = 0.82), providing a 5.2 d reduction in the time to CAL diagnosis.

CRP and CLP are moderate predictors of CAL. However, the combination of these biomarkers presents an increased diagnostic accuracy, potentially decreasing the time to CAL diagnosis.

• Anastomotic leakage
• Colorectal
• Surgery
• Biomarkers
• C-reactive protein
• Calprotectin

• Abdominal Pain/complications
• Anastomotic Leak/diagnosis
• Anastomotic Leak/etiology
• Biomarkers
• C-Reactive Protein/analysis
• Colorectal Neoplasms/complications
• Colorectal Neoplasms/diagnosis
• Colorectal Neoplasms/surgery
• Early Diagnosis
• Humans
• Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex
• Prospective Studies
• ROC Curve

• C-reactive protein
• anastomotic leakage
• biomarkers
• colorectal surgery
• neutrophils
• procalcitonin

To assess whether C‑reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count (WBC) and body temperature changes are suitable parameters for the early detection of septic complications following resection of colorectal deep endometriosis (DE).

Retrospective data analysis of CRP, WBC and body temperature courses following colorectal surgery for DE at a tertiary referral center for endometriosis.

Out of 183 surgeries performed, 10 major surgical complications were observed, including 4 anastomotic leakages (AL 2%) and 2 rectovaginal fistulae (RVF 1%). In the presence of a lower gastrointestinal tract (GIT)-related septic complication or abdominal wall abscess, serum CRP levels were increased starting at postoperative day 2–3. A cut-off value of 10 mg/dl on day 4 for prediction of early septic complications could be verified (area under the curve 0.94, obtained by receiver operating characteristics analysis, sensitivity 88%, specificity 90%, positive predictive value 32%, negative predictive value 99%). Additionally, most patients with early septic complications exhibited increased WBC levels starting mainly from day 3–4; however, increased inflammatory parameters could not be observed in one patient with an RVF. Body temperature did not prove useful for early discrimination between uncomplicated cases and those with early septic complications.

Relevant elevations of serum CRP and WBC levels were demonstrated in patients with early septic complications following surgery for colorectal DE starting at postoperative day 2–4. The cut-off value of 10 mg/dl for CRP levels may serve as an early predictor for lower GIT-related septic complications but should be used with caution in women with suspected RVF development.

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00508-021-01916-w) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

• Anastomotic leakage
• Body temperature
• C‑reactive protein
• Deep endometriosis bowel surgery
• White blood cell count

Early diagnosis of anastomotic leakage (AL) after rectal surgery can reduce the adverse effects of AL, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality. Currently, there are no accepted indicators or effective scoring systems that can clearly identify patients at risk of anastomotic leakage.

A prospective study with assessment of the diagnostic accuracy of oxidative stress level (CAT, SOD, MDA) in serum and drain fluid compared to white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), and neutrophil percentage (NEUT) in prediction of AL in patients undergoing elective rectal surgery with anastomosis.

Most of the oxidative stress indicators we detected are of considerable significance in the diagnosis of anastomotic leakage. The level of MDA on postoperative day (POD)3 (areas under the curve (AUC): 0.831) and POD5 (AUC: 0.837) in the serum and on POD3 (AUC: 0.845) in the drain fluid showed the same excellent diagnostic accuracy as the level of CRP on the POD3 (AUC: 0.847) and POD5 (AUC: 0.896).

The overall level of oxidative stress in serum and drain fluid is a reliable indicator for the early diagnosis of anastomotic leakage after rectal surgery. More specifically, among the redox indicators analyzed, MDA has almost the same predictive value as CRP, which provides another useful biomarker for the early diagnosis of anastomotic leakage.

• anastomotic leak
• biomarkers
• colorectal cancer
• intestinal anastomosis
• precision medicine

• EP/K-34510/1 Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
• NA Bowel and Cancer Research

• Anastomotic leakage
• C-reactive protein
• Colorectal surgery
• Early detention
• Procalcitonine

Colorectal surgery (CRS) is associated with high morbidity rates, being anastomotic leakage (AL) one of the most serious complications with an incidence as high as 15%, accounting for up to a third of mortality in these procedures. The identification of pre-clinical markers may allow an early diagnosis and a timely intervention. The objective of the present study was to compare the performance of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) vs C-reactive protein (CRP) as early predictors of AL in CRS.

A retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients who underwent a colorectal surgery with anastomosis from June 2015 to April 2019. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to find the cutoff points with the best diagnostic performance of AL.

A total of 116 patients were included. From 43 patients (37%) who developed a total of 63 complications, 9 (7.76%) presented with an AL with a median of 8 days (range: 5–9). No significant differences were found for NLR between patients with vs without AL. In contrast, median CRP was significantly higher in patients who subsequently presented with AL, both on day 4 (164 vs 64, p = 0.04) and 5 (94 vs 44, p < 0.001) after surgery. The best predictive performance through ROC curves was found on postoperative day 5, with a CRP value of >54 mg/dL (AUC: 0.81, Sensitivity: 89%, Specificity: 61%).

CRP appears superior to NLR as an early predictor of AL following CRS. The best diagnostic performance was obtained on postoperative day 5 with a cutoff value of >54 mg/dL.

•

In the present study, CRP was found to be superior to NLR as an early predictor of clinically significant AL following CRS.

• Anastomotic leak
• C-reactive protein
• Colorectal surgery
• Complications
• Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio
• Preclinical marker

The introduction of biological or absorbable synthetic meshes has provided an alternative to conventional repair for incisional hernia. The ability to predict the development of complications after hernia surgery is important, as it guides surgical planning and patient management. This retrospective study assessed whether the postoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) level can predict complications after incisional hernia repair using biological mesh reinforcement. Patients who underwent incisional hernia repair surgery using biological meshes between February 2009 and February 2015 were screened for study inclusion. Patients included in the study were divided into two groups: those with and without postoperative complications. The two groups were analysed based on sex, surgical operation, length of intensive care unit stay (ICU), complications and mortality. Laboratory values, including white blood cell (WBC) count and CRP levels, were determined preoperatively and up to postoperative day (POD) 10. Postoperative complications requiring further management occurred in 32 of the 60 patients (53.3%). Among 47 patients, the mean CRP and WBC levels were 6.6 mg/L and 9.073 G/L in the group without complications vs. 141.0 mg/L, 16.704 G/L in the group with complications (p < 0.001). Patients with complications also had a longer ICU stay (10.1 vs. 0.6 days, p < 0.0001). A cut-off was 101 mg/L and offered 80.00% sensitivity (IC 61.43% to 92.29) and 95.24% specificity (76.18% to 99.88%) for postoperative complication. The rate of postoperative complications before POD10 was 95% in the group with CRP > 100 mg/L vs. 46% in the group with CRP < 100 mg/L (p = 0.000372). A high postoperative CRP level (> 100 mg/L) up to POD10 may serve as a predictor of postoperative complications in patients undergoing incisional hernia using biological meshes.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is gaining popularity as a bariatric option. Gastric leak (GL) is the most dreaded septic complication of LSG. Early detection and treatment of this complication may improve outcomes.

This study investigates biomarkers that might be useful to predict GL before its clinical presentation in patients who underwent LSG.

This study, prospective observational, was carried out in 151 patients, who underwent LSG for morbid obesity between February 2014 and October 2019. Blood samples were collected before the operation and on post-operative days one, three and five to dose serum C-reactive protein (CRP), pro-calcitonin (PCT), fibrinogen, white blood cells (WBCs) count and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR).

GL occurred in 6 patients (3.97%). According to the receiver operating characteristics curve, NLR detected leak with remarkably higher sensitivity (100%) and specificity (100%) than CRP, fibrinogen, WBC on all the days and higher than PCT in post-operative days 3 and 5. Moreover, the area under the curve (AUC) of NLR (AUC = 1) was higher than the AUC of CRP, fibrinogen, WBC on all the days and higher than PCT in post-operative days 3 and 5, suggesting important statistical significance.

Because NLR and PCT detected GL with remarkably higher sensitivity and specificity than CRP, fibrinogen and WBC, these two markers seem to be more accurate for the early detection of this complication.

• C-reactive protein
• gastric leak
• laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy
• neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio
• procalcitonin

The aim of this study was to evaluate a series of blood count inflammation indexes in predicting anastomotic leakage (AL) in elective colorectal surgery.

Demographic, pathologic, and clinical data of 1432 consecutive patients submitted to colorectal surgery in eight surgical centers were retrospectively evaluated. The neutrophil to lymphocyte (NLR), derived neutrophil to lymphocyte (dNLR), lymphocyte to monocyte (LMR), and platelet to lymphocyte (PLR) ratios were calculated before surgery and on the 1st and 4th postoperative days, in patients with or without AL.

There were 106 patients with AL (65 males, mean age 67.4 years). The NLR, dNLR, and PLR were significantly higher in patients with AL in comparison to those without, on both the 1st and 4th postoperative days, but significance was greater on the 4th postoperative day. An NLR cutoff value of 7.1 on this day showed the best area under the curve (AUC 0.744; 95% CI 0.719–0.768) in predicting AL.

Among the blood cell indexes of inflammation evaluated, NLR on the 4th postoperative day showed the best ability to predict AL. NLR is a low cost, easy to perform, and widely available index, which might be potentially used in clinical practice as a predictor of AL in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery.

• Anastomotic leakage
• Colorectal surgery
• LMR
• NLR
• PLR

Objectives: Restorative proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is frequently performed in patients with ulcerative colitis and factors suspected of increasing the risk of postoperative infectious complications. Using a three-stage approach may result in improvement in overall outcomes, because this leads to improvement in nutritional status and reduction of immunosuppressive doses. However, the influence of preoperative nutritional status on postoperative infectious complications after this procedure has not been examined. The aim of this study was to clarify the potential associations between nutritional status and postoperative infectious complications in patients with ulcerative colitis undergoing proctectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. Methods: The records of 110 patients who had undergone proctectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis from January 2000 to March 2018 in Mie University and met the eligibility criteria were reviewed and possible associations between postoperative infectious complications and clinical factors were assessed. Results: Of the remaining 110 patients, 18 (16.4%) had developed postoperative infectious complications. Multivariate analysis revealed that operative bleeding ≥270 g and prognostic nutritional index <47 were significant predictors of postoperative infectious complications (P = 0.033, 0.0076, respectively). Various variables associated with immunosuppressives before ileal pouch-anal anastomosis were not associated with postoperative infectious complications. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that immunosuppressives have no association with postoperative infectious complications, whereas a poor prognostic nutritional index may be a significant predictor of postoperative infectious complications in patients with ulcerative colitis undergoing proctectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis.

• ileal pouch-anal anastomosis
• postoperative infectious complications
• prognostic nutritional index
• three-stage approach
• ulcerative colitis

Postoperative ileus (POI) is common after surgery. Animal studies indicate that the POI mechanism involves an inflammatory response, which is also activated during postoperative complications. This study aimed to determine whether inflammatory biomarkers might facilitate an early detection of prolonged POI (PPOI) or infectious complications.

Forty-seven adult patients who underwent oncological colorectal surgery were included. They filled out a perioperative diary to report their gastrointestinal symptoms. Blood samples were collected preoperatively, and on postoperative day (POD) 1 and 3. Levels of leucocytes, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β were analyzed.

Patients with PPOI had significantly longer stay in hospital than patients without (13.6 ± 10.5 versus 7.4 ± 3.2 days, p < 0.001); they also had higher levels of IL-6 ratios, leucocytes, and CRP levels, but did not reach significance. Higher levels of postoperative IL-6 and CRP levels (p < 0.05, resp.) were found in patients with infectious complications. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis found better diagnostic values of IL-6 ratio on both POD 1 and 3 than that of CRP (POD 1: ROC 0.825, p < 0.001).

Blood levels of inflammatory cytokines cannot predict PPOI after colorectal surgery. Instead, postoperative IL-6 changes may predict the infectious complications with a better diagnostic value than the current leukocytes or CRP tests.

• Anastomotic leak
• Angle of sorrow
• Bowel anastomosis

Anastomotic leaks in colorectal surgery results in a high morbidity and mortality rate. Serum procalcitonin levels is known as a sensitive and specific marker of sepsis and could be use as a marker for early detection of a leak allowing early intervention. It may help a clinician decide to perform a CT scan even earlier especially when the diagnosis of a leak is uncertain. The aim of this study is to determine whether serum procalcitonin is a good predictor of anastomotic leak in colorectal surgery.

Between July 2014 until October 2015, 70 patients undergoing colorectal surgery were prospectively analyzed in a single-center tertiary teaching hospital. Demographic and surgical data were obtained. Serum procalcitonin was taken before surgery and at day 3 (72 hours) postoperatively. During the postoperative period, the patients were observed in the ward for features of anastomotic leak and if present, it was managed accordingly. The primary outcome was to prospectively determine an association between serum procalcitonin levels and an anastomotic leak in patients who underwent colorectal surgery with a primary anastomosis.

The rate of anastomotic leak was 4.5% (3 patients) with a mortality rate of 4.3% (3 patients). A rise in serum procalcitonin was statistically significant among patients with anastomotic leak. The optimal procalcitonin cut-off level at postoperative day 3 was 5.27 ng/mL, resulting in 100% sensitivity, 85% specificity, 23% positive predictive value and 100% negative predictive value. Nevertheless, none of the variables showed statistical significance with an anastomotic leak.

Procalcitonin is a reliable biochemical marker to help diagnose anastomotic leak in colorectal surgery. Our study has shown that a level of 5 times beyond normal is statistically significant and a value of more than 5.27 ng/mL is confirmatory of a leak.

• Colon
• leak
• procalcitonin
• rectum
• surgery

• C-reactive protein
• Fibrinogen
• Markers of septic complications
• Sleeve gastrectomy

• colorectal surgery
• index CD64n
• postoperative infection

• c-reactive protein
• biomarker
• abdominal surgery
• outcome
• mortality
• antibiotics

• Abdomen/surgery
• Adult
• Aged
• Biomarkers/blood
• C-Reactive Protein/analysis
• Critical Illness
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Predictive Value of Tests
• Prognosis
• Sepsis/blood
• Time Factors

At present, we do not have a reliable method for the early diagnosis of colorectal anastomotic leakage (AL). We tested peritoneal flexible endoscopy through a port placed in the abdominal wall in the early postoperative course, as a new diagnostic method for detection of this complication and evaluated the suggested method for safety, feasibility, and accuracy.

Ten swine were randomized into 2 groups: group A, colorectal anastomosis without leakage; and group B, colorectal anastomosis with leakage. A button gastrostomy feeding tube was inserted percutaneously into the peritoneal cavity. Colorectal anastomosis (with or without defect) was created 48 hours after the first operation. The swine were examined by peritoneal flexible endoscopy 8 and 24 hours after the colonic operation, by a consultant surgeon who was blinded to both the presence and the allocated location of the of the anastomotic defect.

None of the animals showed signs of illness 48 hours after the intraperitoneal gastrostomy tube placement. More than half of the anastomosis circumference was identified in 60 and 10% of the animals at endoscopy 8 and 24 hours, respectively, after the anastomosis was created. Excessive adhesion formation was observed in all animals, irrespective of AL. The sensitivity and specificity of endoscopy in detecting peritonitis 24 hours after AL were both 60%.

Peritoneal endoscopy is a safe and simple procedure. Visualization of the peritoneal cavity in the early postoperative course was limited due to adhesion formation. Further studies are needed to clarify the accuracy of the procedure and to address additional methodological concerns.

• Anastomotic leakage
• Colorectal anastomosis
• Early diagnosis
• Peritoneal flexible endoscopy
• Randomized trial

The aim of this study was to identify the diagnostic role of plasma calprotectin value for a distinction of presence acute appendicitis and the indifference of uncomplicated from complicated acute appendicitis.

Plasma calprotectin, white blood cell and C-reactive protein values of 89 patients, who have undergone laparoscopic appendectomy between January 2013 and May 2013 were evaluated.

Calprotectin was 91 ng/mL (range 45–538) for acute appendicitis and 47 ng/ml (range 28–205) for the control group. There was a positive, statistically significant relation between calprotectin and C-reactive protein values (r = 0. 292 p = 0. 001, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference was determined between calprotectin and white blood cell values (r = 0. 142 p = 0. 187, respectively). CRP and Cal values were significantly higher in patients with a complicated AA group than in those with uncomplicated AA (p = 0. 014, p = 0. 0001, respectively) whereas white blood cell counts did not differ significantly between two groups (p = 0. 164).

Plasma calprotectin levels were increased in patients with acute appendicitis and should use in a distinction of uncomplicated from complicated acute appendicitis patients.

• Acute appendicitis
• Complicated acute appendicitis
• Plasma Calprotectin
• Uncomplicated acute appendicitis

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.

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.

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 %.

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.

• abdominal surgery
• c-reactive protein
• diagnostic accuracy
• postoperative infectious complications

• Crohn’s disease
• Incisional surgical site infection
• Nutritional prognostic index

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.

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.

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).

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.

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

Although many studies have focused on the preoperative risk factors of anastomotic leakage after colorectal surgery (CAL), postoperative delay in diagnosis is common and harmful. This review provides a systematic overview of all available literature on diagnostic tools used for CAL. A systematic search of literature was undertaken using Medline, Embase, Cochrane and Web-of-Science libraries. Articles were selected when a diagnostic or prediction tool for CAL was described and tested. Two reviewers separately assessed the eligibility and level of evidence of the papers. Sixty-nine articles were selected (clinical methods: 11, laboratory tests: 12, drain fluid analysis: 12, intraoperative techniques: 22, radiology: 16). Clinical scoring leads to early awareness of probability of CAL and reduces delay of diagnosis. C-reactive protein measurement at postoperative day 3-4 is helpful. CAL patients are characterized by elevated cytokine levels in drain fluid in the very early postoperative phase in CAL patients. Intraoperative testing using the air leak test allows intraoperative repair of the anastomosis. Routine contrast enema is not recommended. If CAL is clinically suspected, rectal contrast-computer tomography is recommended by a few studies. In many studies a “no-test” control group was lacking, furthermore no golden standard for CAL is available. These two factors contributed to a relatively low level of evidence in the majority of the papers. This paper provides a systematic overview of literature on the available tools for diagnosing CAL. The study shows that colorectal surgery patients could benefit from some diagnostic interventions that can easily be performed in daily postoperative care.

• Colorectal
• Anastomosis
• Leakage
• Diagnosis
• Prediction

To assess diagnostic value of perioperative procalcitonin (PCT) levels compared to C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in early detection of infectious complications following colorectal surgery.

This prospective observational study included 79 patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. White blood cell count, CRP, and PCT were measured preoperatively and on postoperative days (POD) 1, 2, 3, 5, and patients were followed for postoperative complications. Diagnostic accuracy of CRP and PCT values on each day was analyzed by the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve, with infectious complications as an outcome measure. ROC curves with the largest area under the curve for each inflammatory marker were compared in order to define the marker with higher diagnostic accuracy.

Twenty nine patients (36.7%) developed infectious complications. CRP and PCT concentrations increased in the early postoperative period, with a significant difference between patients with and without complications at all measured postoperative times. ROC curve analysis showed that CRP concentrations on POD 3 and PCT concentrations on POD 2 had similar predictive values for the development of infectious complications (area under the curve, 0.746 and 0.750, respectively) with the best cut-off values of 99.0 mg/L for CRP and 1.34 µg/L for PCT. Diagnostic accuracy of CRP and PCT was highest on POD 5, however the cut-off values were not considered clinically useful.

Serial postoperative PCT measurements do not offer an advantage over CRP measurements for prediction of infectious complications following colorectal surgery.

C-reactive Protein (CRP) is used next to clinical scoring systems to recognize critically ill patients prone to develop complications on the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The purpose of this study is to assess the predictive value of CRP as parameter for clinical deterioration and/or clinical decision making as ordering diagnostic procedures or performing (re)interventions. Also, we wanted to determine the value of CRP in early detection of surgical complications in the critically ill general surgical patient in the ICU and its interpretation in adjunct to a clinical scoring system, the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score.

In our prospective observational study, 174 general surgical patients admitted into the Intensive Care Unit were included. We evaluated the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score (SOFA) and daily measured the C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations. All events (diagnostic or therapeutic interventions) and surgical complications were registered. Then the relationship between SOFA score, CRP concentrations, events and complications were studied.

Each 10% increase in CRP resulted in a 3.5% increase in the odds of an event (odds ratio 1.035, 95% CI: 1.004–1.068; p = 0.028). However, an increase in CRP levels did not lead to a higher odds of complication (OR 0.983, 95% CI: 0.932–1.036; p = 0.52). When adjusting for the SOFA score the effect of CRP on the probability of a first event remained significant (OR 1.033, 95% CI: 1.001–1.065; p = 0.046), and again did not significantly affect the complication probability (OR 0.980, 95% CI: 0.929–1.035; p = 0.46).

An increase in C-reactive protein is a poor parameter for early detection of complications in the critically ill surgical patient in the ICU by means of diagnostic procedures or therapeutic (re)-interventions.

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• C-Reactive Protein/metabolism
• Critical Illness
• Decision Making
• Female
• Humans
• Intensive Care Units
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Multiple Organ Failure/blood
• Multiple Organ Failure/diagnosis
• Multiple Organ Failure/etiology
• Postoperative Complications

• Aged
• Anastomosis, Surgical/adverse effects
• Anastomotic Leak/diagnosis
• Anastomotic Leak/etiology
• Digestive System Surgical Procedures/adverse effects
• Drainage
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Staging
• Pelvis
• Postoperative Complications
• Prognosis
• ROC Curve
• Rectal Neoplasms/complications
• Rectal Neoplasms/surgery
• Risk Factors

Colorectal anastomotic leakage is a serious complication of colorectal surgery, leading to high morbidity and mortality rates. In recent decades, many strategies aimed at lowering the incidence of anastomotic leakage have been examined. The focus of this review will be on mechanical aids protecting the colonic anastomosis against leakage. A literature search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and The Cochrane Collaborative library for all papers related to prevention of anastomotic leakage by placement of a device in the colon. Devices were categorised as decompression devices, intracolonic devices, and biodegradable devices. A decompression device functions by keeping the anal sphincter open, thereby lowering the intraluminal pressure and lowering the pressure on the anastomosis. Intracolonic devices do not prevent the formation of dehiscence. However, they prevent the faecal load from contacting the anastomotic site, thereby preventing leakage of faeces into the peritoneal cavity. Many attempts have been made to find a device that decreases the incidence of AL; however, to date, none of the devices have been widely accepted.

• Anastomotic leakage
• Colorectal surgery
• Complication
• Rectum
• Device

• C-reactive protein
• anastomotic leak
• fistula
• inflammatory markers
• intra-abdominal infection
• postoperative complications

The presence of systemic inflammation before surgery, as evidenced by the glasgow prognostic score (mGPS), predicts poor long-term survival in colorectal cancer. The aim was to examine the relationship between the preoperative mGPS and the development of postoperative complications in patients undergoing potentially curative resection for colorectal cancer. Patients (n=455) who underwent potentially curative resections between 2003 and 2007 were assessed consecutively, and details were recorded in a database. The majority of patients presented for elective surgery (85%) were over the age of 65 years (70%), were male (58%), were deprived (53%), and had TNM stage I/II disease (61%), had preoperative haemoglobin (56%), white cell count (87%) and mGPS 0 (58%) in the normal range. After surgery, 86 (19%) patients developed a postoperative complication; 70 (81%) of which were infectious complications. On multivariate analysis, peritoneal soiling (P<0.01), elevated preoperative white cell count (P<0.05) and mGPS (P<0.01) were independently associated with increased risk of developing a postoperative infection. In elective patients, only the mGPS (OR=1.75, 95% CI=1.17–2.63, P=0.007) was significantly associated with increased risk of developing a postoperative infection. Preoperative elevated mGPS predicts increased postoperative infectious complications in patients undergoing potentially curative resection for colorectal cancer.