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C-reactive protein can predict anastomotic leak in colorectal surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Abstract

Background

Anastomotic leakage (AL) is one of the most significant complications after colorectal surgery, affecting length of stay, patient morbidity, mortality, and long-term oncological outcome. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level rises in infective and inflammatory states. Elevated CRP has been shown to be associated with anastomotic leak.

Objective

Perform a meta-analysis of current CRP data in AL after colorectal surgery.

Data sources

MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, CENTRAL databases

Study selection

Comparative studies studying serum CRP levels in adult patients with and without AL after colorectal surgery.

Intervention(s)

Elective and emergency open, laparoscopic or robotic colorectal excisions for cancer and benign pathology.

Main outcome measures

Mean serum CRP measurements between post-operative days (POD) 1 through 7 in patients with and without AL. Perform ROC analysis to determine cut-off CRP values to indicate AL.

Results

Twenty-three studies with 6647 patients (482 AL). Pooled mean time to diagnosis of AL was 7.70 days. AL associated with higher CRP on POD1 (mean difference (MD) 15.19, 95% CI 5.88–24.50, p = 0.001), POD2 (MD 51.98, 05% CI 37.36–66.60, p < 0.00001), POD3 (MD 96.92, 95% CI 67.96–125.89, p < 0.00001), POD4 (MD 93.15, 95% CI 69.47–116.84, p < 0.00001), POD5 (MD 112.10, 95% CI 89.74–134.45, p < 0.00001), POD6 (MD 98.38, 95% CI 80.29–116.46, p < 0.00001), and POD7 (MD 106.41, 95% CI 75.48–137.35, p < 0.00001) compared with no AL. ROC analysis identified a cut-off CRP of 148 mg/l on POD3 with sensitivity and specificity of 95%. On POD4 through POD7, cut-off levels were 123 mg/l, 115 mg/l, 105 mg/l, and 96 mg/l, respectively, with sensitivity and specificity of 100%.

Limitations

Study heterogeneity, some characteristics unreported, no RCT

Conclusions

AL is associated with higher CRP levels on each post-operative day compared to no AL after colorectal surgery. The cut-off CRP values can be used to predict AL to expedite investigation and treatment.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Surgery, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK

    Denise E. Yeung, Elizabeth Peterknecht, Shahin Hajibandeh & Andrew W. Torrance

  2. Department of General Surgery, Glan Clwyd Hospital, Rhyl, Denbighshire, UK

    Shahab Hajibandeh

  3. Department of General Surgery, Hereford County Hospital, Wye Valley NHS Trust, Hereford, UK

    Shahin Hajibandeh

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  1. Denise E. Yeung
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Contributions

Data acquisition: Peterknecht, Elizabeth; Yeung, Denise; Hajibandeh, Shahin; Hajibandeh, Shahab.

Drafting of manuscript: Yeung, Denise; Hajibandeh, Shahab; Hajibandeh, Shahin.

Critical revision of manuscript: Hajibandeh, Shahin; Torrance, Andrew.

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Correspondence to Denise E. Yeung.

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Yeung, D.E., Peterknecht, E., Hajibandeh, S. et al. C-reactive protein can predict anastomotic leak in colorectal surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Colorectal Dis 36, 1147–1162 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-021-03854-5

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