Assessment of Relation between Recurrence of Enterocutaneous Fistula and Preoperative C-reactive Protein Level after Complete Surgical Repair

Background: Recurrence of enterocutaneous fistula after the definite surgical repair has not changed significantly. In postoperative complication of abdominal surgery, serum C-reactive protein level is used for evaluation of severity of the condition. In this study, we aim to find a relation between recurrence of enterocutaneous fistula and preoperative serum level of C-reactive protein.

Methods: A prospective study of 40 patients admitted with the diagnosis of enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) and prepared for definite surgical repair in the form of resection anastomosis of ECF. We used preoperative serum C-reactive protein as predicting factor of recurrence and independent variable for timing of surgery.

Results: Eleven cases showed recurrence with increased level of preoperative serum level of C-reactive protein above (0.75 mg/dl) with high significant (P<0.05). There was significant different between recurrent and non-recurrent cases regarding preoperative serum level albumin and malnutrition (P<0.05).

Conclusion: C-reactive protein can be used as predicting factor for recurrence of ECF after definite surgical treatment as well as helping surgeon to take decision for proper time of operation.