Dynamics of C-reactive protein level after orthopedic surgeries

Only two studies present the results of the dynamics of C-reactive protein (CRP) after a large number of orthopedic surgeries. The aim of the study was to investigate the dynamics of CRP levels and determine the influence of various factors on the CRP level after various orthopedic surgeries using big data tools.

A total of 16042 operated patients were included in the study.

The tendency of peak values to increase by 2-3 days after surgery with subsequent decrease was the same in all subgroups without surgical site infections (SSI). In patients with SSI, the higher preoperative CRP level changed to a peak on day 3 after surgery with a subsequent drop and increase after day 6 in case of probably unsuccessful sanitation. The peak value of CRP significantly correlates with the duration of surgery (r = 0.1072, p < 0,0001). Older patients tend to exhibit higher CRP value (r = 0.2219, p < 0.001). The peak values of CRP in women were significantly greater than those in men.

In cases without SSI, the peak of CRP values occurs on the second or third day after surgery, a secondary increase in CRP levels may indicate a risk of complications. The peak CRP value correlates with the duration of surgery. In clinical practice, relationship between gender, age and the level of CRP should not be one of the indicators influencing the assessment of the risk of a threat to the patient's health, since the results of various studies are contradictory.