Postoperative changes of early-phase inflammatory indices after uncomplicated anterior cervical discectomy and fusion using allograft and demineralised bone matrix.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated sequential levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in uncomplicated ACDF (anterior cervical discectomy and fusion) using allograft and DBM (demineralised bone matrix) for primary cervical spondylosis and/or disc herniation. To our knowledge, there has been no study to investigate the diagnostic value of CRP and ESR for postoperative infection in ACDF using allograft and DBM.


METHODS
Blood samples of 85 patients, who underwent one- (n = 51) or two-level (n = 34) ACDF, were obtained and evaluated before surgery and on the first, third, fifth, seventh, 14th, 30th, and 90th postoperative days. No infection was found in any patient for at least one year follow-up period.


RESULTS
Mean CRP value increased significantly on the first postoperative day and reached a peak on the third postoperative day. The peak level rapidly decreased but remained elevated on the fifth, seventh, and 14th postoperative days. Mean ESR value increased significantly and reached a peak on the third postoperative day. The peak level gradually decreased but remained elevated on the fifth and seventh postoperative days. One- and two-level ACDF exhibited similar postoperative changes in CRP and ESR values and no significant difference in mean levels of CRP and ESR throughout the follow-up periods.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that uncomplicated ACDF using allograft and DBM showed significant abnormal values of CRP and ESR during the early postoperative period. This result suggests that abnormal values of CRP and ESR in the early postoperative period do not indicate acute postoperative infection after ACDF using allograft and DBM. Straying from the normal course, such as a second rise or a failure to decrease, of CRP and ESR is more important to signpost acute postoperative infection in ACDF using allograft and DBM.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Uijongbu St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea School of Medicine, Uijongbu-si, South Korea.
Chae-Gwan
CG
Kong
Young-Yul
YY
Kim
Jong-Beom
JB
Park
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D001857:Bone Matrix / Q000637:transplantation*; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D055009:Spondylosis / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology
D002097:C-Reactive Protein