Background:

There has been recent interest in the seric levels of procalcitonin (PCT) and C reactive protein (PCR) as a marker of intraabdominal infection after a colorrectal surgery, however, the actual literature remains inconclusive.

Objective:

To test if C-Reactive Protein (PCR) and procalcitonin (PCT) as predictive factors of anastomotic leak after colorectal surgery.

Method:

Retrospective cohort, of patients with ileostomy or colostomy who had intestinal transit restitution by general surgeons in our center, from march 2018 to march 2020.

Results:

We registered 4 (36.4%) anastomotic leaks. We compared median PCR and PCT between group 1 (without anastomotic leak) and group 2 (with anastomotic leak). Median PCT3PO was 4.86 ng/ml in group 1 vs 13.7 ng/ml in group 2, and PCT5PO was 1.3071 ng/ml vs 6.74 ng/ml (DS: 5.04 vs. 11.53 and 0.779 vs. 10.44). Median PCR3PO and PCR5PO was 194.7 mg/l in group 1 vs 100.97 mg/l in group 2, and 159.8 mg/l vs 65.67 mg/l, (DS: 88.78 vs. 82.01 and 94.77 vs. 58.009).

Conclusions:

Persistent higher levels of seric PCR and PCT at 3rd and 5th postoperative day could be an anastomotic leackage. This biomarkers might be added as additional criteria of discharge.