A comparative study of serum ferritin and other "acute phase reactants" (APR) in minor and major surgery

This study was carried out on serum ferritin, acute phase reactants (APR), iron (Fe) and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) in healthy women in Ado Ekiti, Nigeria and in female patients undergoing suture (minor operation) and ceaserean operations at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria between February and March, 2009. The results revealed post-operative serum ferritin and APR concentrations to be significantly higher (p > 0.01) while iron and TIBC were significantly lower in patients undergoing caesarean operation compared to both patients with minor operation and healthy women. The pre-operative results of serum ferritin were however significantly lower in patient undergoing major operation than in patients with minor operation. The present study was carried out to examine the changes in serum ferritin and other acute phase reactants in response to the magnitude of tissue damage. It can be concluded that the concentrations of serum ferritin and acute phase reactant increases as the magnitude of tissue damages increases. There is an acute phase response of serum ferritin levels following major surgery.