GROUP-II PHOSPHOLIPASE-A2 IN SERUM AFTER KNEE SURGERY AND INTRAMEDULLARY NAILING OF TIBIAL SHAFT FRACTURE

This prospective study investigates the effect of injury and surgery o f cartilage and bone on serum group II phospholipase A2 (PLA2-II) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Serum concentrations of PLA2-II and C RP were measured before and after the operation in nine patients with closed tibial shaft fractures treated by nailing, 11 patients with fra ctures of lateral tibial plateau treated by bone grafting, and 19 pati ents with ruptured anterior cruciate ligament treated by reconstructio n. The postoperative PLA2-II and CRP values were statistically signifi cantly higher than the pre-operative values in the tibial plateau frac ture and ligament rupture groups, whereas the increase in the PLA2-II values in the tibial fracture group was not statistically significant. The highest values of both parameters were found on the second postop erative day. The changes in the PLA2-II and CRP values were parallel i n the lateral condyle fracture and in anterior cruciate ligament ruptu re groups. PLA2-II behaves as an acute phase reactant in the serum of patients undergoing acute and elective knee surgery. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.