C-reactive protein as a parameter of surgical trauma: CRP response after different types of surgery in 349 hip fractures.
BACKGROUND
Postoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in serum appear to reflect surgical trauma. We examined CRP levels after different types of surgery in hip fractures.


METHODS
We studied the CRP response after 349 operative procedures in proximal femur fractures with a normal postoperative course. 5 different operative techniques were used: 3-4 percutaneous cancellous screws, dynamic hip screw (DHS), proximal femur nail (PFN), hemiarthroplasty (HA), and total hip arthroplasty (THA).


RESULTS
Peak CRP levels were reached on the second postoperative day in each group (medians: screws 8.7, DHS 12, PFN 14, HA 16, THA 16 mg/dL). Significant differences were found between screws and all others, and between DHS and arthroplasties.


CONCLUSIONS
CRP levels following surgical trauma can be used to quantify the degree of tissue damage and invasiveness of a procedure and reflect the perioperative stress experienced by the patient.
Neumaier
Markus
M
Department of Trauma, University Hosital rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Germany. ma.neumaier@t-online.de
Metak
Gerhard
G
Scherer
Michael A
MA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement / Q000009:adverse effects; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D001858:Bone Nails; D001863:Bone Screws; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology
D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein