C-reactive protein identifies patients at low risk of anastomotic leak after esophagectomy.

Purpose: Fast-track protocols are increasingly used after digestive surgery. After esophagectomy, the gravity and the fear of anastomotic leak may be an obstacle to generalization of such protocols. C-reactive protein (CRP) might be a reliable tool to identify patients at low risk of anastomotic leak after esophagectomy, so that they can be safely included in a fast-track program.

CA 19-9 predicts resectability of pancreatic cancer even in jaundiced patients.

Background: Surgical resection remains the only curative option for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Despite recent improvements in medical imaging, unresectability is still often discovered at the time of surgery. It is essential to identify unresectable patients preoperatively to avoid unnecessary surgery.

Inflammatory markers as early predictors of infection after colorectal surgery: the same cut-off values in laparoscopy and laparotomy?

Purpose: C-reactive protein and procalcitonin are reliable early predictors of infection after colorectal surgery. However, the inflammatory response is lower after laparoscopy as compared to open surgery. This study analyzed whether a different cutoff value of inflammatory markers should be chosen according to the surgical approach.