Procalcitonin Reveals Early Dehiscence in Gastric Surgery: the PREDIGS Study

Procalcitonin Reveals Early Dehiscence In Gastric Surgery: the PREDIGS Study

Background. Gastric cancer surgery is associated with high risk for postoperative morbidity and mortality. Anastomotic leak (AL) is one of the worst complications associated with relevant short and long-term sequelae. Procalcitonin (PCT) is a biomarker used to monitor bacterial infections and guide antibiotic therapy and has been shown to have better predictive value of AL after colorectal surgery than C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell count (WBC).

Purpose. Investigators designed a monocentric pilot study to test if PCT might be a sensitive and reliable marker of AL after gastric surgery

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients undergoing all different kinds of gastric surgery (from partial to total gastrectomy) for cancer, WITH an anastomosis performed
• elective setting

Exclusion Criteria:

• age < 18 years
• pregnant women
• patients undergoing gastric surgery for benign disease or other kinds of gastric surgery without an anastomosis being performed