title: The early diagnostic value of C-reactive protein for anastomotic leakage post radical gastrectomy for esophagogastric junction carcinoma: A retrospective study of 97 patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The incidence of esophagogastric junction (EGJ) carcinoma has increased worldwide. The only curable strategy for EGJ carcinoma is surgery, whereas anastomotic leakage is the major complication after operations. We aimed to test whether the serum levels of C-reactive protein have the diagnostic value for anastomotic leakage after surgery for EGJ carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, we analyzed the values of CRP before and 5 continuous days after surgery in 97 EGJ carcinoma patients who received surgery as the initial treatment. The levels of CRP in the groups of EGJ patients with or without anastomotic leakage were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The CRP levels of patients with anastomotic leakage elevated faster and remained higher compared patients without anastomotic leakage. The CRP value at Day 2 after radical surgery for EGJ carcinoma patients has the early diagnostic value for anastomotic leakage. The cut-off value of CRP for anastomotic leakage at Day 2 is 177 mg/l with the sensitivity of 0.9 and specificity of 0.95 (P < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgical EGJ carcinoma patients with elevated CRP at Day 2 after surgery should be excluded the possibility of anastomotic leakage.
authors: The Department of General Surgery, The Forth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
authors: Litong
authors: L
authors: Ji
authors: The Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China.
authors: Tie
authors: T
authors: Wang
authors: The Department of Medical Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
authors: Lining
authors: L
authors: Tian
authors: The Department of General Surgery, The Forth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China. Electronic address: Dr.MZGao@outlook.com.
authors: Meizhuo
authors: M
authors: Gao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D057868:Anastomotic Leak / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000601:surgery*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: Anastomotic leakage; C-reactive protein; Esophagogastric junction carcinoma; Surgery