Clinical Value of Postoperative C-reactive Protein in the Detection of Complications After Open and Laparoscopic Appendectomy

Background: Acute appendicitis is a common emergency in general surgery. The frequency of complications after appendectomy is about 9% [9]. The predictive value of CRP as an indicator of postoperative complications has been addressed in a small number of studies. The aim of the present retrospective analysis was to determine whether postoperative CRP levels are a reliable predictor of postoperative complications.

Methods: This retrospective single-center cohort study comprised 744 patients who had undergone open or laparoscopic appendectomy for clinically suspected appendicitis between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2015 at the department of general and visceral surgery, Kepler University Hospital in Linz, Austria. Demographic data, the surgical technique, postoperative complications, histopathological findings, postoperative white blood counts, and C-reactive protein levels were evaluated.