C-Reactive protein and procalcitonin for the early detection of postoperative complications after sleeve gastrectomy: preliminary study in 97 patients

Enhanced recovery after bariatric surgery: an Italian consensus statement

Background

Enhanced recovery after bariatric surgery (ERABS) is an approach developed to improve outcomes in obese surgical patients. Unfortunately, it is not evenly implemented in Italy. The Italian Society for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Diseases and the Italian Society of Anesthesia, Analgesia, Resuscitation and Intensive Care joined in drafting an official statement on ERABS.

Methods

To assess the effectiveness and safety of ERABS and to develop evidence-based recommendations with regard to pre-, intra-, and post-operative care for obese patients undergoing ERABS, a 13-member expert task force of surgeons and anesthesiologists from Italian certified IFSO center of excellence in bariatric surgery was established and a review of English-language papers conducted. Oxford 2011 Levels of Evidence and U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Grade Definitions were used to grade the level of evidence and the strength of recommendations, respectively. The supporting evidence and recommendations were reviewed and discussed by the entire group at meetings to achieve a final consensus.

Results

Compared to the conventional approach, ERABS reduces the length of hospital stay and does not heighten the risk of major post-operative complications, re-operations, and hospital re-admissions, nor does it increase the overall surgical costs. A total of 25 recommendations were proposed, covering pre-operative evaluation and care (7 items), intra-operative management (1 item, 11 sub-items), and post-operative care and discharge (6 items).

Conclusions

ERABS is an effective and safe approach. The recommendations allow the proper management of obese patients undergoing ERABS for a better outcome.

Lymphocyte C-reactive protein ratio: A new biomarker to predict early complications after gastrointestinal oncologic surgery

BACKGROUND

Lymphocyte-to-C-reactive protein ratio (LCR) has been used as a post-surgical prognostic biomarker in patients with gastric and colorectal cancer. However, its relationship with early postoperative complications in these patients is unknown. In this study, we aimed to reveal the relationship between LCR and postoperative complications.

METHODS

Eighty-one patients operated for stomach and colorectal cancer between January 2020 and August 2020 were prospectively analyzed. On preoperative and postoperative days 1, 3 and 5, other inflammatory parameters, mainly LCR, neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), were recorded. The patients were divided into two groups according to Clavien-Dindo classification as stage III and higher complications major, stage I-II/non-complication minor.

RESULTS

Fifty seven patients were operated for colorectal cancer, 24 patients for gastric cancer. The mean age of the patients was 65.6 ± 12.6, 34.6% of them was women. Age, operation time and hospital stay were significantly different between the groups (p= 0.004, p= 0.002, p< 0.001). Major complications developed in 18 patients. On postoperative day 5, LCR found superior diagnostic accuracy in predicting major postoperative complications compared to other inflammatory markers. On the postoperative 5th day, the cut-off value of LCR was 0.0034, 88.8% (71.9-94.8) sensitivity, and 85.7% (73.6-95.4) selectivity.

CONCLUSION

Among different inflammatory markers, postoperative LCR is a safe and effective predictor of postoperative complications, especially after gastric and colorectal cancer surgery on day 5.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: A role of inflammatory markers in the early detection of gastric leak

Setting:

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.

Objectives:

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

Patients and Methods:

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).

Results:

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.

Conclusions:

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.

The C-reactive protein to albumin ratio predicts postoperative complication in patients who undergo gastrectomy for gastric cancer

The aim of this study was to evaluate the preoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) to albumin ratio (CAR) of patients with gastric cancer and to investigate the factors correlated with perioperative complications. From March 2016 to December 2019, 128 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer were enrolled in a retrospective study. The preoperative cutoff value of the CAR for predicting postoperative complications was 0.265 on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Clinical characteristics were compared between patients with complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥2, n = 20) and without complications (Clavien-Dindo grade <2, n = 108). On univariate and multivariate analyses, estimated blood loss (EBL) during the operation (HR 1.003, p = 0.039) and CAR (HR 2.832, p = 0.045) were independent predictors of postoperative complications. In conclusion, preoperative CAR appears to be a predictor of postoperative complications in the patients undergoing surgical treatment of gastric cancer.

Low Postoperative Levels of C-Reactive Protein Are an Early Predictor for an Uncomplicated Course After Bariatric Surgery: A Retrospective, Validated Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Bariatric surgery is popularly used to treat or prevent morbidity in severely obese patients. Severe complications are rare, but their early detection has a significant impact on clinical outcomes. We aimed to determine whether blood tests in the first few postoperative days are reliable predictors for complications.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 1073 patients who underwent laparoscopic bariatric surgery between 2009 and 2018 at our center. Clinical outcome was correlated with postoperative serum C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count, and vital signs, analyzed using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. A total of 570 procedures between 2009 and 2015 were used to calculate the best cutoff values (calculation group), which were validated with 330 different patients operated upon between 2016 and 2018 (validation group).

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients (4.2%) developed anastomotic or staple-line leakages in the calculation group. The ROC curve showed a good reliability for CRP levels on day 2 (area under the ROC curve=0.86); the highest Youden index existed for a cutoff of 119 mg/L. White blood cell count and heart rate were poor predictors. Even though several characteristics differed in the validation cohort, test quality of the cutoff was high (sensitivity, 71.4%; specificity, 94.9%; positive predictive value, 23.8%; negative predictive value, 99.3%). The prediction was excellent especially for leakages appearing on days 2 to 9 (sensitivity 100.0%, negative predictive value 100%). Leakages from day 10 were rare and prediction poor (sensitivity 0%).

CONCLUSIONS

A CRP level on day 2 <120 mg/L is a good predictor of a postoperative course without leakage, even though the predictive value goes down for late-appearing events. An earlier CRP measurement added no predictive benefit. The cutoff value was validated in an internal cohort and could be applied to different populations.

Diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin as an early predictor of infection after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer: A prospective bicenter cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin (PCT) as an early predictor of infection following radical gastrectomy to treat gastric cancer (GC).

METHODS

A prospective, observational, cohort study was conducted in two high-volume tertiary centers (registered under ClinicalTrials.gov). A total of 552 consecutive adult patients undergoing radical gastrectomy for GC from June 2018 to July 2019 were included. Routine blood tests (white blood cell count (WBC); neutrophil count; the neutrophil:WBC ratio, N%) and PCT were measured on post-operative day (POD) 3 and 5. Post-operative infection was recorded based on the criteria of the Center for Disease Control. The area under the curve (AUC) summarizing receiver-operating characteristic was calculated and compared for each biomarker measured.

RESULTS

Ninety three adverse events occurred in 70 patients (12.7%), with infections being the most common (n = 37, 6.7%). With cutoff values of 0.695 ng/mL at POD 3 and 0.515 ng/mL at POD 5, specificity and negative predictive value for infections were 0.656 and 96.3%, 0.816 and 96.1%, respectively. PCT had a better AUC than the WBC and neutrophil count to detect post-operative complications, especially infections (AUC: 0.678, 0.600, 0.592, P = 0.028 and 0.017, respectively) at POD 3, but which were comparable at POD 5. Additionally, 4 of the 8 patients with PCT levels ≥3 ng/mL on POD 5 were confirmed to have an infection.

CONCLUSION

PCT is a more reliable predictor than WBC and neutrophil count to detect infections following radical gastrectomy for GC. PCT levels <0.695 ng/mL at POD 3 and < 0.515 ng/mL at POD 5 makes post-operative infections very unlikely but extreme high PCT levels should alert the surgeon to the possibility of infections.

Comparison of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy leak rates in five staple-line reinforcement options: a systematic review

Background

Staple-line leaks following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) remain a concerning complication. Staple-line buttressing is largely adopted as an acceptable reinforcement but data regarding leaks have been equivocal. This study compared staple-line leaks in five reinforcement options during LSG: no reinforcement (NO-SLR), oversewing (suture), nonabsorbable bovine pericardial strips (BPS), tissue sealant or fibrin glue (Seal), or absorbable polymer membrane (APM).

Methods

This systematic review study of articles published between 2012 and 2016 regarding LSG leak rates aligned with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Variables of interest included leak rates, bleeding, and complications in addition to surgical and population parameters. An independent Fisher’s exact test was used to compare the number of patients with and without leaks for the different reinforcement options.

Results

Of the 1633 articles identified, 148 met inclusion criteria and represented 40,653 patients. Differences in age (older in APM; p = 0.001), starting body mass index (lower in Suture; p = 0.008), and distance from pylorus (closer in BPS; p = 0.04) were observed between groups, but mean bougie size was equivalent. The overall leak rate of 1.5% (607 leaks) ranged from 0.7% for APM (significantly lower than all groups; p ≤ 0.007 for next lowest leak rate) to 2.7% (BPS).

Conclusions

This systematic review of staple-line leaks following LSG demonstrated a significantly lower rate using APM staple-line reinforcement as compared to oversewing, use of sealants, BPS reinforcement, or no reinforcement. Variation in surgical technique may also contribute to leak rates.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00464-019-06782-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Serum procalcitonin concentration within 2 days postoperatively accurately predicts outcome after liver resection

Background:

Relatively high mortality and morbidity rates are reported after liver resection (LR). However, the early predictors of complications after LR are not clear. This study was performed to clarify the usefulness of procalcitonin (PCT) for the early prediction of complications after elective LR.

Methods:

This observational study included 72 consecutive patients who underwent elective LR from December 2015 to March 2017. Patients were categorized into two groups: those with and without postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥II). The values of postoperative inflammatory markers (white blood cell [WBC] count, C-reactive protein [CRP] and PCT) were compared between the two groups.

Results:

CRP and PCT were significantly higher in patients with than without complications; however, the WBC count showed no difference within 5 days postoperatively. The maximum area under the receiver operating characteristic curves within 2 days after LR using the WBC count, CRP and PCT were 0.608, 0.697 and 0.860, respectively, PCT had the best predictive ability in the early postoperative period. The PCT level peaked within 2 days postoperatively in 61 patients (85%). The maximum PCT level within 2 days postoperatively (PCT1−2) was significantly higher in patients with than without complications (0.52 vs. 0.19 ng/mL, p<0.001). A cutoff PCT1−2 level of 0.35 ng/mL achieved 80% sensitivity and 83% specificity. In patients without complications, there was no difference in PCT1−2 even when the surgical procedure differed (p=0.935).

Conclusions:

PCT1−2 is an early predictive marker after LR and can be similarly used regardless of the LR procedure.

Predicting complications in hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastasis: the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide; whilst approximately 20% of patients have hepatic disease at presentation. Hepatic resection remains the gold standard of care; however, it is associated with significant morbidity. We sought to establish whether the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) could help predict post-operative complications, thus improving patient outcomes.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing hepatic resection at a single centre. Baseline demographics and complications within 30 days following surgery were recorded. White blood cell counts and C-reactive protein (CRP) were recorded pre-operatively, and until post-operative day 7.

RESULTS

A total of 188 operations were included. About 47.3% of resections had a complicated recovery, of which 31.46% were major. The median LMR was 1.29 across the cohort, 1.60 for uncomplicated procedures, 1.14 for those with complications and 0.85 in major complications. For detecting major complications versus an uncomplicated recovery, median LMR was the best parameter (area under the curve 0.78), whilst it was the only parameter to accurately predict such complications within 48 hours of surgery (area under the curve 0.72 on day 1). It was consistently the most accurate parameter at detecting uncomplicated versus complicated recovery, minor versus major complications, and major complications versus an uncomplicated recovery, at numerous timepoints over the post-operative period.

CONCLUSION

The LMR appears better at predicting complications following hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastases, as opposed to conventionally measured parameters.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Procalcitonin as a Marker of Postoperative Orthopedic Infections

Procalcitonin is a serologic marker that increases in response to inflammatory stimuli, especially those of bacterial origin. Postoperative orthopedic periprosthetic infections are often difficult to diagnose. This study systematically reviewed the literature to evaluate the statistical measures of performance of procalcitonin as a marker of postoperative orthopedic infection. This study showed that procalcitonin has a weighted pooled sensitivity of 67.3%, specificity of 69.4%, positive likelihood ratio of 1.778, negative likelihood ratio of 0.423, and diagnostic odds ratio of 5.770. These results illustrate that procalcitonin is an effective serologic marker for postoperative bacterial infections. [Orthopedics. 2018; 41(3):e303-e309.].

Three-Year Follow-Up of Laparoscopic Reduced Port Sleeve Gastrectomy in 808 Consecutive Patients

BACKGROUND

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is a very popular technique for the treatment of morbid obesity. Less and less invasive laparoscopic approaches to SG have been proposed and shown to be safe and feasible.

OBJECTIVES

We developed a reduced port laparoscopic approach to sleeve gastrectomy (_RLSG) with the aim to further optimize the advantages of laparoscopy. Preliminary and safety profile of _RLSG as well as 3 years weight loss outcome are hereby discussed.

SETTING

University Hospital, Kuwait.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients had morbid obesity with history of failure of conservative treatment. The _RLSG procedure was performed using only two skin incisions.

RESULTS

The analyzed population comprised 808 patients, including 642 women and 166 men. Mean age and BMI were 28.34 ± 8.37 and 41.09 ± 6.34, respectively. Mean operative time was 43 ± 20 min (range, 31-185). Mortality was nil. Overall morbidity rate was (4.5%). Three patients had postoperative leak (0.4%). Median duration of hospital stay was 2 days (range, 1-5). Mean percentage of excess weight loss (% EWL) was 23.18 ± 17.3% at 1 month, 55.08 ± 22.9% at 6 months, 82.6 ± 22.6% at 1 year, and 84.3 ± 22.4% at 3 years. Mean percentage total weight loss (%TWL) was 9.34% at 1 month, 22.42% at 6 months, and 34.57% at 1 year.

CONCLUSION

_RLSG is a safe and effective surgical option in patients with morbid obesity. Moreover, 3-year follow-up assessment confirmed adequate % EWL.

Adding C-reactive protein and procalcitonin to the model of end-stage liver disease score improves mortality prediction in patients with complications of cirrhosis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

This study aims to determine the performance of models adding C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) to the model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score for mortality prediction in patients hospitalized with complications of cirrhosis.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was carried out in consecutive cirrhotic patients admitted with complications of cirrhosis between September 2012 and December 2013 at Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. All patients had venous CRP, PCT, and laboratory values for MELD score calculation measured at emergency room or admission. Cox regression analysis and the c-statistic were used to predict mortality. The MELD-CRP score was externally validated in 818 eligible patients from Mayo Clinic, Rochester, using data from 1288 cirrhotic patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2014.

RESULTS

A cohort of 177 patients with cirrhosis was admitted during the study period. Seventy-one patients were eligible for analysis. The MELD score was predictive of 90-day mortality odds ratio (OR) 1.19 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-1.32). Adding CRP and/or PCT to the MELD score improved the predictive of 90-day mortality: MELD-CRP OR 2.71 (95% CI 1.66-4.99); MELD-PCT OR 2.72 (95% CI 1.66-4.99); MELD-CRP-PCT OR 2.71 (95% CI 1.67-4.92). The c-statistics for MELD, MELD-CRP, MELD-PCT, and MELD-CRP-PCT were 0.81, 0.83, 0.84, and 0.85, respectively. Adding CRP and/or PCT to the MELD score also improved 30-day mortality prediction. Similar results for the MELD-CRP score were obtained from the Mayo Clinic external validation cohort.

CONCLUSION

The MELD-CRP, MELD-PCT, and MELD-CRP-PCT scores may be superior to the MELD score alone in predicting mortality in patients hospitalized with complications of cirrhosis.

Clinical evaluation of C-reactive protein and procalcitonin for the early detection of postoperative complications after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

INTRODUCTION

Among the most common early complications after bariatric surgery are anastomosis leak and bleeding. In order to react quickly and perform accurate treatment before the clinical signs appear, early predictors should be found. In the study C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) levels were investigated. Characterized by a relatively short half-life, they can predict surgical complications.

AIM

To develop and implement certain standards for early detection of complications.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study involved 319 adults who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) as a surgical intervention for morbid obesity at the Department of General Surgery of Ceynowa Hospital in Wejherowo. Every patient had CRP and PCT levels measured before the surgery and on the 1^st and 2^nd postoperative day (POD).

RESULTS

Early postoperative complications occurred in 19 (5.96%) patients. Septic and non-septic complications occurred in 3 and 16 patients respectively. Among the patients with septic postoperative complications CRP level increased significantly on the 2^nd POD compared to the remainder (p = 0.0221). Among the patients with non-septic postoperative complications CRP level increased significantly on the 1^st and 2^nd POD compared to the remainder. Among the patients with septic and non-septic postoperative complications PCT level increased significantly on the 2^nd POD compared to the remainder.

CONCLUSIONS

The CRP and PCT level are supposed to be relevant diagnostic markers to predict non-septic and septic complications after LSG.

Laparoscopic Radical Gastrectomy for Resectable Advanced Gastric Cancer Within Enhanced Recovery Programs: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Enhanced recovery programs have become an important focus of perioperative management. A few studies have demonstrated the efficacy of an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS, which includes optimized pain control, restricted I.V. fluids, early initiation of postoperative oral feeding, and enforced mobilization) protocol in patients undergoing radical gastrectomy. We investigated the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic radical gastrectomy within ERAS programs.

METHODS

In this single-center prospective randomized controlled trial conducted between September 2013 and August 2014, 149 consecutive locally advanced gastric cancer patients (T2-4, any N, M0) diagnosed by the CT scanning were allocated to either ERAS group (N = 73) or conventional pathway group (N = 76). The same surgical technique was used in both groups, that is, laparoscopic gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy and R0 resection. Intergroup differences were evaluated for clinical parameters and C-reactive protein for testing tissue injury.

RESULTS

ERAS combined with laparoscopic gastrectomy was observed in our study. Recovery parameters such as time to return to normal diet (days) 1.90 ± 0.71 versus 3.52 ± 0.81, P = .003 and time to the first defecation (days) 2.97 ± 1.23 versus 5.20 ± 1.81, P = .015 were measured. The post hospital stay (days) in ERAS and the conventional care group were 6.38 ± 2.04 and 8.62 ± 2.87, P < .001, respectively. No statistically significant intergroup differences were observed in terms of postoperative complications and C-reactive protein levels. One patient in the ERAS group was readmitted because of anastomotic leakage. No instances of deaths were reported during the 30-day follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates the feasibility and safety of ERAS protocol in advanced gastric cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic radical gastrectomy and was associated with shorter duration of hospital stay. ( Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier No NCT02348229).

C-reactive protein can be an early predictor of postoperative complications after gastrectomy for gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

The clinical outcomes for postoperative complications (PCs) after gastrectomy depend on early diagnosis and intensive treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of C-reactive protein (CRP) as an early predictor of PCs after gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

METHODS

A total of 334 consecutive patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer in 2014 were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were obtained preoperatively, and at postoperative days 1 and 4 for the measurement of inflammatory markers (white blood cell, neutrophil, and platelet counts, and CRP). Patients were classified into groups of major and minor/no PCs, which were defined as patients with PCs of more than grade III and those with grade I/II or without PCs, respectively, according to the Clavien-Dindo classification.

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients developed major PCs. The CRP on postoperative day 4 provided superior diagnostic accuracy in predicting major PCs compared to the other systematic inflammatory markers. Multivariate analysis identified a CRP level of 16.8 mg/dl or greater on postoperative day 4 as a significant predictive factor for major PCs.

CONCLUSIONS

Among the various systemic inflammatory markers, CRP on postoperative day 4 is the most reliable predictor of PCs after gastrectomy for gastric cancer.