Systemic immune response after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy

The laparoscopic approach is thought to reduce the postoperative immunologic and metabolic effects of an open operation. This study was designed with the aim of comparing the systemic immune response after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy. Seventeen patients with gallbladder stones were assigned to undergo either a laparoscopic (n = 9) or open (n = 8) approach. The postoperative immune response was assessed by measuring the serum levels of soluble Fas (sFas), soluble L-selectin (sL-selectin), and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGFbeta1) preoperatively and 2 hours, 1 day, and 2 days postoperatively. Both approaches resulted in a significant decrease in sFas levels 1 and 2 days postoperatively. The open approach evoked a transient increase in sL-selectin levels 2 hours postoperatively. Moreover, the open approach resulted in a persistent, significant increase in TGFbeta1 levels postoperatively. Comparison of open versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy has shown no significant difference in sFas level and a statistically significant increase of sL-selectin (within 2 hours) and TGFbeta levels after open surgery. Although both laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy evoked an alteration of the systemic immune response, our data showed that such immune response may be less after the laparoscopic approach.     

腹腔镜胆囊切除围手术期创伤应激、酸碱平衡和能量代谢

目的　研究腹腔镜胆囊切除术 (LC)围手术期创伤应激激素水平、C反应蛋白和机体能量代谢与开腹胆囊切除术 (OC)的差异。　方法　慢性结石性胆囊炎患者 2 6例 (LC组 14例 ,OC组 12例 ) ,于术前 1d、术后 1d和 3d晨分别检测血C 反应蛋白 (CRP)、生长激素、皮质醇和胰岛素。同时测定静息能量消耗 (REE)和呼吸商 (RQ)。　结果　胰岛素在OC患者术后第 3天与术前比较有明显下降。生长激素、C 反应蛋白和皮质醇上升在OC术后明显高于LC(P <0 0 5 )。 2组患者静息能量消耗(REE)术后较术前显著增加 ,而术后OC患者REE明显高于LC患者 (P <0 0 5 )。 2组患者呼吸商(RQ)术后比较术前均有显著下降。LC组动脉血氧分压与氧饱和度术后 1d明显下降 ,第 3天恢复。LC组术后 3dBE明显高于OC组。　结论　腹腔镜手术创伤小 ,应激水平低 ,对患者代谢影响小 ,有益于机体应激激素、氮平衡和能量代谢的恢复。气腹可以引起体内酸血症和肺血灌流不足。     

Systemic stress response after laparoscopic and open gastric bypass

BACKGROUND: The magnitude of the systemic stress response is proportional to the degree of operative trauma. We hypothesized that laparoscopic gastric bypass (GBP) is associated with reduced operative trauma compared with open GBP, resulting in a lower systemic stress response. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-eight patients with a body mass index of 40 to 60 were randomly assigned to laparoscopic (n = 26) or open (n = 22) GBP Blood samples were measured at baseline and at 1, 24, 48, and 72 hours postoperatively. Metabolic (insulin, glucose, epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, ACTH, cortisol), acute phase (C-reactive protein), and cytokine (interleukin [IL]-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha) responses were measured. Catabolic response was also measured by calculating the nitrogen balance at 24 and 48 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: The two groups of patients were similar in terms of age, gender, and preoperative body mass index. The mean operative time was longer for laparoscopic GBP than for open GBP (229 +/- 50 versus 207 43 minutes). After laparoscopic and open GBP, plasma concentrations of insulin, glucose, epinephrine, dopamine, and cortisol increased; IL-8 and TNF-alpha remained unchanged; and negative nitrogen balances occurred at 24 and 48 hours. There was no significant difference in these parameters between groups. Concentrations of norepinephrine, ACTH, C-reactive protein, and IL-6 levels also increased, but these levels were significantly lower after laparoscopic GBP than after open GBP (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Systemic stress response after laparoscopic GBP is similar to that after open GBP, except that concentrations of norepinephrine, ACTH, C-reactive protein, and IL-6 are lower after laparoscopic than after open GBP. These findings may suggest a lower degree of operative injury after laparoscopic GBP.     

Comparison of the stress response after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy

Background: We designed a prospective controlled animal study to compare the stress response induced after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy. Methods: Twelve female pigs (20–25 kg body weight) were anesthetized with ketamine, pentobarbital, and fentanyl. The animals were randomized into the following four groups: control (C), pneumoperitoneum with CO₂ at 14–15 mmHg (P), laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), and open cholecystectomy (OC). The average duration of the procedure in each group was 35 min. Results: Central venous pressure, mean arterial pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and cardiac output were monitored. Measurements were recorded when animals were anesthetized (baseline), immediately before and after surgery, and thereafter every 30 min for a maximum of 3 h. White blood cell count (WBC) was determined from blood samples taken before and after 3 h of surgery. Ultrasound-guided liver biopsies were done preoperatively and after 3 h of surgery. Total RNA was isolated from the liver biopsy specimens. Steady-state mRNA levels of β-fibrinogen (β-fib), α 1-chymotrypsin inhibitor (α1-CTI), metallothionein (MT), heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), and polyubiquitin (Ub) were detected by Northern blot/hybridization. There were no statistical differences in the hemodynamic parameters among the groups. The number of circulating neutrophils and monocytes decreased only after LC. Expression of Hsp70 was not induced after any surgical procedure, and the mRNA levels of Ub did not change after surgery. The expression of α1-CTI and β-fib (acute phase genes) were similarly increased after LC and OC. Steady-state mRNA levels of MT were slightly increased after P and LC but not after OC. Conclusion: These data indicate that there are no significant differences between LC and OC in terms of induction of the stress response. Received: 19 March 1999/Accepted: 2 July 1999/Online publication: 20 September 2000     

Inflammatory response in open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy

The modifications of IL-6. CRP, ceruloplasmin, alpha 1 antitrypsin, fibrinogen, transferrin, albumin and leukocytes counts have been evaluated after traditional open cholecystectomy (OC) or laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Forty-two patients were included in this study, 20 underwent to OC and 22 underwent to LC. Serum samples were performed before surgery and at distance of 6, 24, 48 and 168 hours. The results show a more significant increase in acute phase inflammatory response after OC compared with LC as attested by highest values of leukocytosis, IL-6, CRP, fibrinogen and alpha 1 antitrypsin and lower levels of albumin. In conclusion, after LC, the phase acute response is attenuate and it can explain the reduced period of convalescence of patients treated with LC.     

Pulmonary function after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND: Laparotomy causes a significant reduction of pulmonary function, and atelectasis and pneumonia occur after open cholecystectomy. In this prospective, randomized study, we evaluated the hypothesis that pulmonary function is less restricted after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) than after open cholecystectomy (OC). METHODS: Sixty patients underwent laparoscopic (n = 30) or open (n = 30) cholecystectomy. The two groups did not differ significantly in age, sex, intraoperative findings, and preoperative pulmonary function. Pulmonary function tests, arterial blood-gas analysis, and chest radiographs were obtained in both groups before operation and on postoperative day 1. RESULTS: The forced expiratory volume in 1 s (mean +/- SD values; OC, 1.49 +/- 0.77 L/s; LC, 2.33 +/- 0.80 L/s; p > 0.0001) and the forced vital capacity (OC, 2.40 +/- 0.66 L; LC, 2.93 +/- 1.05 L; p > 0.01) were more suppressed in patients having OC than in those having LC. Similar results were found for the peak expiratory flow (OC, 3.51 +/- 1.35 L/s; LC, 4.27 +/- 1.66 L/s; p > 0.05), expiratory reserve volume (OC, 0.73 +/- 0.34 L; LC, 0.92 +/- 0.43 L; p > 0.05), and the midexpiratory phase of forced expiratory flow (FEF25-75) (OC, 1.45 +/- 0.54 L/s; LC, 1.60 +/- 0.73 L/s; NS). Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was associated with a significantly lower incidence of (30 vs 70%) and less severe atelectasis and better oxygenation. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary function is better preserved after LC than after OC.     

Patient-controlled analgesia after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) offers advantages over open cholecystectomy (OC) of more rapid patient recovery. The comparative amount of pain that patients must endure after each of these procedures is not clear. We retrospectively analysed the use of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) of an unselected sample of patients having either LC or OC procedures to quantitate morphine use, as well as pain and sedation scores in the post-operative period. The hospital charts, anaesthetic records and the PCA records of 40 patients having either LC (n = 19) or OC (n = 21) were analysed retrospectively. The use of PCA morphine was standardized and consisted of a loading dose of 5 mg, bolus doses of 1.5 mg and a lockout period of five minutes. By the morning of postoperative day one, OC patients had used 38.0 ± 11.7 (mean ± SD) mg compared with 23.7 ± 15.3 mg in LC patients (P < 0.05). The rates of PCA morphine use in the first two postoperative hours were 4.66 ± 2.6 mg· hr^?1 and 7.04 ±2.7 mg · hr^?1 for LC and OC patients, respectively (P < 0.05). The rates of morphine use averaged over the day of surgery were 1.28 ± 0.8 mg · hr^?1 and 2.33 ± 0.8 mg · hr^?1 for LC and OC patients (P < 0.05). Despite higher PCA morphine use in OC patients, their pain scores were higher while their sedation scores were comparable. These data suggest that laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with less pain than open cholecystectomy in the day after surgery.     

Lung function after open versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Postoperative lung function and gas exchange were studied in 36 patients after cholecystectomy. Twenty-four of the patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy while the remaining twelve were operated with open technique. Before surgery all patients had normal ventilatory volumes (forced vital capacity, FVC and forced expired volume in 1 s, FEV₁) and normal gas exchange. Two hours postoperativley FVC was reduced to 64±16% (P<0.05) of the preoperative level in the laparoscopic group and to 45±23% (P<0.05) after open cholecystecomy. On the first postoperative day FVC was virtually normal in the laparoscopic patients (77±17% of preoperative level, NS), whereas the open surgery patients still had a decreased FVC (56±13% of preoperative, P<0.05). FEV₁ in the postoperative period followed the same course as FVC. Gas exchange was significantly impaired in the early postoperative period in all patients but no difference between the two groups was found. Two hours postoperatively Pao₂ was reduced to 85% (P<0.05) of preoperative value and Paco₂ had increased by 0.5 kPa (p<0.05). The alveolo-arterial oxygen tension difference (PA-ao₂) had increased by approximately 45% to a mean of 3.7 kPa (P<0.05). On the first postoperative day gas exchange was still significantly impaired in the open surgery patients. Atelectasis detected by computed X-ray tomography of the lungs were found in both groups. However, the amount of atelectasis tended to be smaller in the laparoscopic group than in the open surgery patients. In summary, cholecystectomy irrespective of whether it was performed by open or laparoscopic technique was followed by deterioration in ventilatory function and gas exchange. However, the magnitude of this impairment was less pronounced in laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients than in the open surgery patients which may suggest that this minimal invasive procedure is favourable with respect to postoperative lung function.     

Postoperative pulmonary function after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy

In this prospective, randomized study, we compared 42 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 40 undergoing open cholecystectomy to determine if laparoscopic cholecystectomy results in less respiratory impairment and fewer respiratory complications. Pulmonary function tests, arterial blood-gas analysis and chest radiographs were obtained in both groups before operation and on the second day after operation. Postoperative pain scores and analgesic requirements were also recorded. After operation, a significant reduction in total lung capacity, functional residual capacity (FRC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and mid-expiratory flow (FEF25-75%) occurred after both laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy. The reductions in FRC, FEV1, FVC and FEF25-75% were smaller after laparoscopic (7%, 22%, 19% and 23%, respectively) than after open (21%, 38%, 32% and 34%, respectively) cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was also associated with a significantly lower incidence (28.6% vs 62.5%) and less severe atelectasis, better oxygenation and reduced postoperative pain and analgesia use compared with open cholecystectomy. We conclude that postoperative pulmonary function was impaired less after laparoscopic than after open cholecystectomy.      

Hormonal and hyperglycemic response in laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy

The aim of the study is to evaluate the intensity of the operative trauma during laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy measured by hormonal (cortisol level) and metabolic (blood sugar level) response. Prospective randomized study was conducted in seventy patients with cholelithiasis. They were divided in two groups: thirty five underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and thirty five underwent open cholecystectomy (control group). Mean cortisol concentration and glucose concentration were measured preoperatively and postoperatively after 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 hours. The examined groups were comparable in age and sex. Preoperative plasma cortisol concentration was within normal range in both groups. Postoperatively plasma cortisol level increased in the laparoscopically operated group, and peak level occurred eight hours after surgery (692.6 +/- 27.2 nmol/L). Peak plasma cortisol level in control group developed 8 hours postoperatively (841.1 +/- 33.2 nmol/L). The mean cortisol concentration was significantly higher (p < 0.05) following open procedure between fourth and 48th postoperative hour. Mean plasma glucose concentrations after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than preoperative values. The mean glucose concentration during the initial 24 hours was significantly higher (p < 0.05) following open cholecystectomy.     

Incisional hernias after laparoscopic vs open cholecystectomy

Background: The aim of this study was retrospectively to compare the incidence of incisional hernia formation at trocar sites in laparoscopic cholecystectomy with that after conventional open cholecystectomy. Methods: In all, 271 patients with cholelithiasis underwent either laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC group, n= 142) or open cholecystectomy (OC group, n= 129). In the OC group, the surgical approach was to use a right subcostal incision in 20.2%, right transrectal laparotomy in 73.6%, and midlaparotomy in 6.2%. Laparotomy closure was performed by continuous absorbable suture for the peritoneum and discontinuous absorbable stitches for muscle and fascia. Laparoscopic access was achieved by use of four trocars (two 10 mm and two 5 mm). Umbilical port closure was performed by suture of fascia using discontinuous stitches. Closure of the remaining ports was performed by suture of the skin. Results: Both patient groups were statistically similar with respect to general risk factors. Follow-up was performed in 84 (65.1%) OC and 123 (86.6%) LC patients and ranged from 2 to 10 years (mean, 8 years) and 1 to 5 years (mean, 3 years) respectively. Five (5.9%) OC and two (1.6%) LC patients developed incisional hernias, although the difference between groups was not significant. All hernias in OC patients appeared after transrectal laparotomy. The LC hernias appeared at the umbilical port, and one of the patients developed an additional xiphoides port-associated hernia. Conclusions: The laparoscopic technique showed a lower (although not significantly) incidence of incisional hernias than the open procedure. Received: 16 July 1998/Accepted: 27 November 1998     

Oxidative stress markers after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND: Surgical injury is associated with oxidative stress, often due to ischemia/reperfusion injury. During laparoscopy, increased intra-abdominal pressure caused by pneumoperitoneum may cause splanchnic ischemia followed by reperfusion due to deflation. We measured several markers of oxidative stress in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) versus open cholecystectomy (OC) to find if these surgical procedures result in different patterns of oxidative stress. METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 43 patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis, of whom 21 underwent open, and 22 laparoscopic, cholecystectomy. Twenty healthy adults comprised the control group. Total antioxidant status (TAS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), endogenous peroxide level (POX), oxidized low density lipoprotein (oLDL) autoantibodies (oLAb), and neopterin were measured preoperatively and on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7. RESULTS: POX values decreased significantly on postoperative day 1 in the OC (P<0.01), but not in the LC, group. On postoperative day 7, POX values were higher than preoperatively in both groups (P<0.01) with no difference between the LC and OC groups. Significant postoperative elevations of oLAb and neopterin levels were observed only on postoperative day 7 in the OC group. There were no changes of oLAb and neopterin levels in the LC group. TAS and SOD levels did not change after either LC or OC. CONCLUSION: Cholecystectomy, either open or laparoscopic, caused only moderate oxidative stress. Open cholecystectomy caused changes of oLAb and neopterin, suggesting more severe oxidative stress, and a possible role of reactive oxygen species in the healing of the laparotomic wound.     

Multivariate comparison of complications after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and open cholecystectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To answer the question whether laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) or open cholecystectomy (OC) is safer in terms of complications, the authors evaluated complications relating to 1440 cholecystectomies performed by the same surgeons in a retrospective study. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: A definite pronouncement on whether LC truly is superior to OC is not possible because prospective trials are burdened with problems of recruitment. METHODS: After the introduction of LC at the authors' institution in April 1991 and until October 1993, 94.6% (700/740) of all patients admitted for operation because of symptomatic gallstone disease could be treated laparoscopically. The clinical records of the last 700 patients who underwent OC before the introduction of LC were re-evaluated with regard to both overall complications and the grade of complication (severity grade 1-4). A comparison of the incidence of complications relating to the two surgical methods, age, sex, common bile duct stones, acute cholecystitis, concomitant illness, Apache score, and length of operation was calculated by multivariate analysis using the logistic regression model. RESULTS: The total rate of complications in the OC group was 7.7%, with five postoperative deaths, compared with 1.9% and one postoperative death in the LC group. Multivariate analysis for OC revealed that both old age (p = 0.014) and the existence of common bile duct stones (p = 0.02) had independent prognostic influences in increasing the overall complication rate, whereas only old age (p = 0.019) influenced the overall complication rate after LC. Multivariate analysis of all cholecystectomies (n = 1440) showed that the overall complication rate was influenced independently by OC as a detrimental factor. CONCLUSIONS: As this analysis emphasizes, LC can be performed safely with an overall complication rate that is distinctly lower than that of OC. For selective surgery, LC is undoubtedly superior to OC and can probably be seen as a new "gold standard" for cholecystectomies.     

Systemic and cell-mediated immune response after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy in patients with chronic liver disease. A randomized, prospective study

BACKGROUND: As impaired immune function observed in cirrhotic patients is known to increase the risk of postoperative complications, the immunological response to surgery was investigated. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with postnecrotic liver cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis C and symptomatic gallstone disease were randomly allocated to laparoscopic (LC) or open cholecystectomy (OC). Changes in concentrations of cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10) were followed and the effect of surgical trauma on the distribution of lymphocyte subpopulations (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16 and CD19) and NK cell cytotoxicity were measured. RESULTS: After OC a decrease in circulating CD3 (p < 0.05) and CD4 (p < 0.05) and an increase in CD19 (p < 0.05) cells were detected in contrast to LC after which only CD16 cells decreased (p = 0.05). The number of CD3 cells was higher after LC than after OC (p < 0.01), whereas the number of CD19 cells was higher after OC than after LC (p < 0.01). NK cell cytotoxicity was reduced after LC (p < 0.05). In cirrhotic patients circulating cytokines were unaffected by OC, whereas TNF-alpha (p < 0.05) and IL-1beta (p < 0.05) were reduced after LC. In chronic hepatitis IL-1beta decreased after OC (p = 0.05) and IL-10 was significantly higher after LC than following OC (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The immune response is less pronounced after a laparoscopic procedure compared to a conventional approach in patients with chronic liver disease.     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术与开腹胆囊切除术的比较

按顺序抽取腹腔镜胆囊切除术(LC)病历110份，开腹胆囊切除术(OC)病历136份，笔者就两组病例的手术时间、切口长度、出血量及住院天数等资料进行回顾性分析和比较，结果显示：LC组在手术时间、切口长度、出血量及住院天数均短于或少于OC组。提示：LC优于OC，值得在基层推广与普及。     

Serum E-cadherin concentrations and their response during laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy

Background: Elevated serum levels of the cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin have been associated with the presence of tissue injury and inflammation. We compared soluble E-cadherin response during laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy. Methods: The E-cadherin response to surgery was studied in 16 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 12 patients undergoing open cholecystectomy. Serum E-cadherin levels were measured by an enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) preoperatively, 10 and 30 min after the commencement of surgery, and at 6 and 24 h following the operation. Results: Serum E-cadherin levels decreased progressively during laparoscopic cholecystectomy; their concentrations at 24 h after surgery were significantly lower when compared with preoperative values. In the open cholecystectomy group, serum E-cadherin levels did not differ from preoperative values at any time point. Serum E-cadherin concentrations at 24 h after surgery and the cumulative E-cadherin response were significantly higher in the open cholecystectomy group than in the laparoscopic group. Conclusion: Compared with open cholecystectomy, the cumulative E-cadherin response is significantly reduced following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.     

腹腔镜与开腹胆囊切除胃肠压力变化的临床研究

目的 :从胃肠道压力变化的角度探讨腹腔镜与开腹胆囊切除对胃肠运动功能的影响。方法 :腹腔镜胆囊切除 30例 (男 6例 ,女 2 4例 ,4 7± 4岁 ) ,开腹胆囊切除 30例 (男 9例 ,女 2 1例 ,4 7± 7岁 ) ,分别于手术前 1d行胃电图描记 ,记录术后 3、2 4、4 8、72h胃电图及监测胃窦、十二指肠和空肠压力 (移行性运动复合波 ,MMCⅢ )。结果 :(1)手术前腹腔镜和开腹胆囊切除患者胃电频率差异无显著性 (P >0 .0 5 ) ;(2 )腹腔镜胆囊切除组术后 3、2 4h正常波所占百分比低于术前 ,但差异无显著性 (P >0 .0 5 ) ,术后 4 8h恢复正常 ;(3)开腹胆囊切除组术后起 3h正常波所占百分比明显低于术前 ,差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 1) ,术后 2 4、4 8h正常波的百分比与术前差异无显著性 ,术后 72h恢复正常 ;(4) 2组患者术后胃窦、十二指肠及空肠压力低于健康人群 (P<0 .0 5 ) ;(5 ) 2组胃窦部收缩压力及收缩曲线下面积术后第 1、2、3d较术后 3h明显升高 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,且随时间延长有逐渐增大的趋势 ,腹腔镜组术后 72h恢复正常 ,十二指肠及空肠术后 3d内无明显变化 ;(6 ) 2组间胃电频率 ,胃窦部、十二指肠及空肠压力变化差异无显著性 (P >0 .0 5 ) ,但显示有差别。结论 :腹腔镜与开腹胆囊切除术均可引起胃电频率及胃肠压力变化 ,开     

Systemic coagulation and fibrinolysis after laparoscopic and open gastric bypass

HYPOTHESIS: Laparoscopic gastric bypass (GBP) induces a postoperative hypercoagulable state that is similar or reduced compared with open GBP. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: Between May 1999 and June 2000, 70 patients were randomly assigned to laparoscopic (n = 36) or open (n = 34) GBP. Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis consisted of antiembolism stockings and sequential pneumatic compression devices. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Plasminogen, thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), prothrombin fragment 1.2 (F1.2), fibrinogen, D-dimer, antithrombin III (AT), and protein C levels were measured at baseline and at 1, 24, 48, and 72 hours postoperatively. A venous duplex examination of both lower extremities was performed preoperatively and between the third and fifth day postoperatively. RESULTS: The 2 groups were similar in age, weight, and body mass index. Plasminogen levels decreased, and TAT, F1.2, and fibrinogen levels increased after laparoscopic and open GBP. There was no significant difference in these levels between groups. D-dimer levels increased in both groups, but the levels were significantly higher after open GBP than after laparoscopic GBP (P<.01). Antithrombin III and protein C levels decreased in both groups. The reduction of AT (at 1 hour) and protein C (at 72 hours) was significantly less after laparoscopic GBP than after open GBP (P<.05). Postoperative venous duplex examination revealed DVT in 1 (2.9%) of 34 patients after open GBP but in none of 36 patients after laparoscopic GBP. One patient developed pulmonary embolism after open GBP. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic GBP induces a hypercoagulable state similar to that of open GBP. Our findings suggest that DVT prophylaxis should be used during laparoscopic GBP as in open GBP.