Evaluation of the open and laparoscopic appendectomy operations with respect to their effect on serum IL-6 levels.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative serum inflammatory cytokine levels are thought to reflect the magnitude of surgical stress. Cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an early marker of systemic inflammatory response and tissue damage. This study evaluated levels of IL-6 after open and laparoscopic appendectomy to compare the degree of surgical stress associated with these procedures.

METHODS: IL-6 levels were measured pre- and postoperatively in the plasma of 200 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis. After preoperative randomization, 100 patients underwent open appendectomy, and 100 patients underwent laparoscopic appendectomy.

RESULTS: Preoperative concentrations of IL-6 were 65.22±4.76 pg/mL in the open appendectomy group and 65.73±6.34 pg/mL in the laparoscopic appendectomy group (p=0.752). Postoperative levels were 105.28±16.14 pg/mL and 76.11±16.18 pg/mL, respectively (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Lower postoperative serum IL-6 levels suggest that laparoscopic surgery is associated with lower degree of surgical stress. Laparoscopic appendectomy has significant advantage over open appendectomy due to more rapid postoperative recovery.