Background: Early detection of wound discharge at operative site and its complications is very important to prevent morbidity associated with it. The aim of our research was to find out the important role of procalcitonin in predicting early wound complications at surgical site. We found out that at a cut off level of 30 pg/ml, serum procalcitonin can predict wound complication with sensitivity of 65.5% and specificity of 98.8%. Materials and Methods: Patients of all age groups who had undergone orthopaedic surgery were prospectively included in this study. Any patient who developed post-operative wound discharge were followed up as per study protocol.Serum levels of procalcitonin was measured on POD4. First wound check was done on POD4. So at the end of the study, patients were classified into 2 groups: Group 1 -with wound discharge and complications, Group 2- wound discharge with no complications. The serum levels of PCT was compared among above two groups and results were drawn. Results: Group 1 had higher mean PCT levels than Group 2 (p < 0.05). 30pg/ml is the cut off for predicting wound complication with sensitivity of 65.5% and specificity of 98.8%. Conclusion: Serum Procalcitonin, at a cut – off of 30pg/ml is a specific bio marker for predicting wound discharge and complication with sensitivity of 65.5% and specificity of 98.8%. Level of evidence-4.
