An external validation of C-reactive protein reduction as a predictor of healing following laryngopharyngectomy

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.