RÉSUMÉ
AIM: To determine the least invasive surgical procedure by comparing the levels of operative stress hormones, response-reactive protein (CRP) and rest energy expenditure (REE) after laparoscopic (LC) and open cholecystectomy (OC). METHODS: Twenty-six consecutive patients with noncomplicated gallstones were randomized for LC (14) and OC (12). Plasma concentrations of somatotropin, insulin, cortisol and CRP were measured. The levels of REE were determined. RESULTS: In the third postoperative day, the insulin levels were lower compared to that before operation (P<0.05). In the first postoperative day, the levels of somatotropin and cortisol were higher in OC than those in LC. After operation the parameters of somatotropin, CRP and cortisol increased, compared to those in the preoperative period in the all patients (P<0.05). In the all-postoperative days, the CRP level was higher in OC than that in LC (7.46+/-0.02; 7.38+/-0.01, P<0.05). After operation the REE level all increased in OC and LC (P<0.05). In the all-postoperative days, the REE level was higher in OC than that in LC (1438.5+/-418.5; 1222.3+/-180.8, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: LC results in less prominent stress response and smaller metabolic interference compared to open surgery. These advantages are beneficial to the restoration of stress hormones, the nitrogen balance, and the energy metabolism. However, LC can also induce acidemia and pulmonary hypoperfusion because of the penumoperitonium it uses during surgery.