Clinical judgment versus delayed hypersensitivity skin testing for the prediction of postoperative sepsis and mortality.

In 59 patients operated upon for malignant disease of the gastrointestinal tract, skin testing with recall antigens was compared with assessments based upon clinical judgment alone for prediction of risk of postoperative septic complications. Clinical judgment alone could identify patients with a significantly increased risk for postoperative sepsis and mortality. Prediction based upon clinical judgment is superior to prediction based upon delayed hypersensitivity skin testing.