[C-reactive protein as infection parameter in clinically suspected postoperative
infection after trauma surgery and orthopedic interventions. [German] de Zwart PM. Muller JE. Ebert B. Berufsgenossenschaftliche Unfallklinik Tubingen. Aktuelle Traumatologie. 24(6):228-31, 1994 Oct. Prospectively the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) of 40 patients were studied twice within 6-12 hours in case of a suspected infection after different osteosynthetic and orthopedic procedures and compared with the levels of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). 16 patients showed an increase of CRP in relation to a wound infection, hematoma or effusion in all but one case. 6 patients showed an increase of ESR, which also could be cleared in all but one case. Those patients with a proved wound infection demonstrated a CRP-rise in 8 cases, a CRP-plateau in 4 cases and no CRP-decrease. The same patients showed an ESR-rise in 3, an ESR-plateau in 7 and an ESR-decrease in even 2 cases. This study indicates that the determination of two CRP-levels with a short interval in case of a clinically suspected infection is another, meaningful criterion in making a decision for an operative revision.
Original Text by Clifford R. Wheeless, III, MD.
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