Metabolic and inflammatory responses and changes in fatigue were studied in groups of patients undergoing either laparoscopic (n = 14) or open (n = 10) elective cholecystectomy. The mean(s.e.m.) cortisol concentration was significantly (P < 0.001) increased from 342(80) and 424(91) nmol l-1 before operation to 895(46) and 966(53) nmol l-1 after surgery in patients undergoing laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy respectively. There was no difference in cortisol response between the groups. Glucose concentration was increased (P < 0.02) at the end of surgery from mean(s.e.m.) preoperative levels of 5.54(0.15) and 6.16(0.15) mmol l-1 to postoperative values of 7.46(0.29) and 8.46(0.86) mmol l-1 for the laparoscopic and open procedures respectively. The mean glucose concentration during the initial 12 h after surgery was significantly greater (P < 0.02) following open than laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The mean(s.e.m.) albumin concentration fell significantly (P < 0.01) during surgery by an equivalent extent from 38.9(0.77) and 38.5(1.10)g l-1 to 35.2(0.79) and 34.6(0.97) g l-1. The mean (95 per cent confidence interval) interleukin (IL)6 concentration peaked 4 h after surgery at 57.2 (44.6-73.4) pg ml-1 following laparoscopic and 99.3 (72.8-135.4) pg ml-1 after open cholecystectomy. Mean (95 per cent confidence interval) C-reactive protein (CRP) levels at 24 h were 17.0 (12.7-21.2) and 49.0 (25.3-93.6) mg l-1 and at 48 h 28.0 (21.4-35.4) and 70.0 (36.4-133.6) mg l-1 following laparoscopic and open operations. The differences in IL-6 and CRP level between the groups were significant (P < 0.01). Mean(s.e.m.) fatigue scores were significantly (P < 0.05) increased from preoperative values of 2.4(0.24) and 2.6(0.44) to 5.5(0.56) and 6.8(0.51) at 24 h after laparoscopic and open operations. At 48 h the mean(s.e.m.) fatigue score (5.6(0.57)) remained significantly (P < 0.05) raised only after open cholecystectomy. Hand grip strength was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced only after the open procedure, to a mean(s.e.m.) of 88(6) per cent of the preoperative value. These results demonstrate that aspects of the metabolic and acute-phase responses are attenuated following laparoscopic cholecystectomy, consistent with a reduction in tissue trauma.

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