Systemic acute-phase response after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND: Cytokines are the main mediators of inflammation and the response to trauma. The purpose of this study was to compare variations in cytokine levels following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and mini-laparotomy cholecystectomy (OC), since these two types of operations were considered to be a unique model for examining the role of local tissue injury in postoperative inflammatory reactions. METHODS: A total of 40 patients were studied. Eighteen of them underwent LC; the remaining 22 were operated on using the open technique. Systemic concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured before and after the operation. In addition, we compared pre- and postoperative white blood cell (WBC) counts, postoperative body temperature, and length of postoperative hospitalization. RESULTS: There was no difference between the two groups in IL-1 and TNF response. The rise in plasma IL-6 levels (18.86 +/- 9.61 vs 5.00 +/- 0.0 pg/ml, p < 0.0001) and CRP (8.40 +/- 5.81 vs 1.43 +/- 1.30 mg/dl, p < 0.001) were more marked after open cholecystectomy than after the laparoscopic procedure. There was no correlation between serum CRP concentrations and the other postoperative parameters. CONCLUSION: The magnitude of the acute-phase response was less pronounced following laparoscopic cholecystectomy, consistent with a reduction in tissue trauma.