Prognostic Value of C - reactive Protein and Procalcitonin Levels in Predicting Anastomotic Leakage after Colorectal Resection in Mazandaran Province

Colorectal resection is used for various diseases and leakage in an anastomosis is one of its complications. Some studies confirmed the predictive effects of C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin markers leakage in anastomosis. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of CRP and procalcitonin in predicting anastomotic leakage in elective colorectal surgery in Mazandaran province, Iran.

This longitudinal study was performed in patients (n=72) undergoing intestinal anastomosis in Sari Imam Khomeini Hospital, Oct 2016-March 2017. White blood cells (WBC), temperature (T), CRP, and procalcitonin levels were measured at days 3 and 5 after the surgery. Data were analyzed using SPSS V21.

Anastomotic leakage occurred in two patients (2.8%). Procalcitonin levels (P= 0.000), CRP levels at days 3 (P= 0.000) and 5 (P= 0.000), WBC at day 5 (P = 0.041), and body temperature at days 3 (P= 0.014) and 5 (P= 0.004) after the surgery were associated with the incidence of anastomotic leakage.

Procalcitonin and CRP levels, WBC count, and body temperature were found to be correlated with anastomotic leakage, so they should be monitored at days 3 and 5 after the surgery to predict the incidence of complications.