Effects of low and high intra-abdominal pressure on immune response in laparoscopic cholecystectomy

OBJECTIVE: Immunosuppression is directly related to the degree of trauma. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of low and high intra-abdominal pressure on immune response in moderate surgical trauma.

METHODS: Twenty-two patients, scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, were randomly allocated to one of 2 groups according to intra-abdominal pressure: low and high intra-abdominal pressure. This study was conducted in the Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Operation Room, Ankara, Turkey. Serum interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-6 levels were measured.

RESULTS: Serum IL-2 showed a significant decrease before the incision in high intra-abdominal pressure group. The increase in serum IL-6 at the end of surgery and postoperatively was lower in low intra-abdominal pressure group.

CONCLUSION: These results, can be interpreted as the immune system, are less depressed when there is lower intra-abdominal pressure. This may have clinical implications in immunocompromised patients.