Comparison of serum C-reactive protein concentrations for laparoscopic versus open cholecystectomy.

In an attempt to quantify the difference in tissue damage between open cholecystectomy (OC) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), we have compared in a prospective manner the pre- and post-operative concentrations of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) in 17 patients undergoing LC and 13 patients undergoing OC. In addition, we measured the pre- and postoperative white blood cell counts (WBC), the postoperative body temperature, and the postoperative duration of hospitalization. There were no differences in the preoperative serum CRP concentrations--5.

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy].

80 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, of whom 64 were females and 16 males (age range 20-70 years) and 15 had undergone previous abdominal operations. 3 of the 80 operations were converted to open cholecystectomy. In 11, preoperative ERCP was performed, in 2 of whom common bile duct stones were detected.

[Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography combined with laparoscopic cholecystectomy].

In 11 of 82 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed. Indications were biliary pancreatitis in 5 and suspected common bile duct (CBD) stones in the other 6 (based on US or liver function tests, or both). The biliary tree was normal in 9 and laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed.