An external validation of C-reactive protein reduction as a predictor of
healing following laryngopharyngectomy
Abstract
Key Points • CRP reduction at day five of more than 35% from the
previous highest concentration post-laryngectomy or laryngopharyngectomy
has been proposed to positively predict healing without
pharyngocutaneous fistula • Retrospective cohort analysis of 163
patients has not been able to externally validate these findings. • ROC
curves and subset analyses have not identified alternative parameters to
reach significance • However, there is a non-significant association
with decreasing postoperative CRP and healing without fistula. •
Multicentre prospective studies to include post-operative procalcitonin
could help refine this protocol further.