THE ROLE OF C-REACTIVE PROTEIN IN THE EARLY DETERMINATION OF POSTOPERATIVE SEPTIC COMPLICATIONS

Abstract

Serum CRP is an acute phase reactant that shows the most significant increase during acute phase period. The CRP level that increases within the 6th hour postoperatively, begins to decline to its preoperative value by 3rd day. This decline isn't observed in patients with inflammation concerning surgical complication and CRP level stays high. In this study we aimed to determine the postoperative septic complications by following patients' responses to infection. We have followed daily CRP level of 86 patients who had undergone surgery beginning on the 1st day preoperativety to 12th day postoperatively to determine the septic complications before they appear clinically. CRP level in 32 patients restored its postoperative level or increased after a small decrease; septic complication developed in 24 of these patients. 9 patients had septic complications but CRP increase was not observed and no bacterial cause was found in their cultures, viral actiology was foremost in their complications. When all the results were analysed, it was determined that CRP monitorization had sensitivity of 72%, specificity of 84%, positive predictive value of 75%, negative predictive value of 87% and accuracy of 79%. In eight of these data's we believe that daily CRP monitoring would be helpful in diagnosing earlier postoperative inflamatuary complications.