Immunological consequences of laparoscopic versus open transhiatal resection for malignancies of the distal esophagus and gastroesophageal junction.
OBJECTIVE
Surgery remains the only curative therapy for esophageal cancer. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the impact of laparoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy versus open transhiatal esophagectomy on both inflammatory and immunological responses.


METHODS
Seventeen patients undergoing laparoscopic or open surgery were included in the study. The postoperative inflammatory response was assessed by measuring WBC count and CRP, IL-6, IL-8, soluble TNF I and II receptor, and elastase levels. The postoperative immune function was assessed by measuring the monocyte HLA-DR expression. LPS-binding protein (LBP) and bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) were measured to evaluate bacterial translocation.


RESULTS
The IL-6 level increased significantly more in the patients who received open surgery as compared with the laparoscopic group. Both LBP and BPI increased predominantly in the laparoscopic group as compared with the group who received open surgery. No difference was found in HLA-DR expression between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Although both laparoscopic and conventional esophageal resections result in an activation of the inflammatory response, this study suggests that this response could be less pronounced after the laparoscopic approach. However, in the laparoscopic group higher LBP and BPI levels were seen, suggesting an increased endotoxemia. We postulate that the persistently elevated abdominal pressure results in a loss of mucosal barrier function, resulting in bacterial translocation. The cellular acidification of the cells of the peritoneum induced by CO(2) insufflation, however, blunts the expected inflammatory response.
Scheepers
J J G
JJ
Department of Surgery, Free University Medical Center (VUMC), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Sietses
C
C
Bos
D G
DG
Boelens
P G
PG
Teunissen
C M W
CM
Ligthart-Melis
G C
GC
Cuesta
M A
MA
van Leeuwen
P A M
PA
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000097:blood; D018988:Bacterial Translocation / Q000276:immunology; D001798:Blood Proteins; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000097:blood; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000379:methods*; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000097:blood; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000097:blood; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000097:blood; D000099231:Lipopolysaccharide-Binding Protein
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D001798:Blood Proteins; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D000099231:Lipopolysaccharide-Binding Protein; C021623:bactericidal permeability increasing protein