A total of 108 patients (71 infection-free procedures and 37 with surgical infections) was studied prospectively concerning C-reactive protein (CRP) and activated lymphocytes. The surgical trauma provoked a rapid increase in CRP and activated lymphocytes. CRP is a sensitive parameter in surgical infections. If the CRP values are high preoperatively, primarily septic patients can be discovered or patients with unrecognized infection complications (sensitivity 63%). If patients with sepsis are treated, by the operation the CRP level will decline rapidly after the operation. If the CRP values increase even after day 2 postoperatively, they are highly indicative of a postoperative septic complication.
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