Systemic stress response after laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy: A randomized trial

Background Surgical injury induces a systemic endocrine-metabolic response which is proportional to the severity of surgical stress. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with a favourable clinical outcome compared with open cholecystectomy suggesting that surgical injury is reduced. Methods In a randomized clinical trial of 41 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 42 patients undergoing open cholecystectomy, the neuroendocrine and metabolic stress responses were compared. Plasma levels of cortisol, adrenaline, noradrenaline, glucose, interleukin (IL) 6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured before, during and at 4, 8 and 24 h after operation. Results Plasma levels of cortisol and catecholamines increased during and after both laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy; however, their postoperative responses were significantly higher (P < 0.05) after open cholecystectomy. Glucose, IL-6 and CRP levels also increased after operation and were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the open cholecystectomy group. Conclusion The neuroendocrine stress response and inflammatory response following laparoscopic cholecystectomy were significantly reduced compared with those after open cholecystectomy.