Serum C-reactive protein and Pro-Calcitonin as an Indicator in Post-Operative Infection after Hepatobiliary Surgery

Background: Major hepato-biliary surgeries carry a high risk for post-operative sepsis. Recent therapeutic advances both medical and surgical have improved early post-operative outcome. Considering the difficulties in diagnosis of infection in critically ill patients an early sensitive  and specific marker for sepsis would be of interest. Studies have shown that C - reactive protein (CRP) and pro calcitonin (PCT) are acute phase reactants and good independent early markers of post-operative sepsis, severe or septic shock. This aspect has not been evaluated in     the hepatobiliary surgeries. More over there is no data available from the Indian sub-continent in this aspect. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of serum CRP and PCT levels after hepatobiliary surgery for diagnosis of postoperative complication. Subjects and Methods: This is a cross-sectional diagnostic study has conducted in 42 patients who all are satisfying the inclusion criteria. Study duration was From August 2017 to July 2019, conducted on patients between 18-80yrs of age undergoing hepato-biliary surgery, in surgical wards of PK Das Institute     of Medical Sciences. Study variables include age, sex, pre-operative serum albumin level, pre and post-operative S.CRP AND S.PCT levels. On post-operative day 4 and day 7 S.CRP and S.PCT are monitored and its predictability also measured. . Descriptive statistical analysis will be carried out using SPSS (IBM). The p-value of less than 0.05 will be taken as significant. Results: out of 42 patients studied, 30 patients developed post-operative complications. Pre-operative serum C - reactive protein and serum procalcitonin measured compared with pre-operative serum albumin was significant identifying post-operative complications (P-value 0.02). On post-operative day 4 and 7value was significant in post-operative patients with P-value of 0.04 vs. 0.046 respectively. Similarly serum procalcitonin values also were significant on postoperative day (POD) 4 and 7 with P-value of 0.02 and 0.03. Sensitivity and specificity of S.PCT was more compared to S.CRP (92 vs 90% in sensitivity and 100% vs 80% in specificity respectively. This study shows those who were clinically septic post operatively have statistically elevated levels of serum CRP and Procalcitonin. Conclusion: S.PCT is more sensitive and specific as a marker of post operative infection following hepato biliary surgery. Early identification of patients with insidious septic illness allows early therapeutic intervention which may favorably influence outcome.