Reduced perioperative immune response in video-assisted versus open surgery in a rat model.
OBJECTIVE
To establish the best technique for thoracoscopic pneumonectomy in the rat and to analyze the differences in perioperative immune response between open and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in a rat model.


METHODS
The four experimental groups studied were as follows: VATS pneumonectomy, open pneumonectomy, thoracoscopic observation, and open observation. We measured the immunocyte counts and serum cytokine levels postoperatively in each group.


RESULTS
The CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ lymphocyte counts were decreased significantly 12-24 h postoperatively in all groups. Immunosuppression peaked later in the open approach groups than in the VATS groups. The interleukin-6 level was significantly higher in the open approach groups than in the VATS groups.


CONCLUSIONS
From the viewpoint of immunity, in this rat model VATS was less invasive than open surgery, and open surgery caused greater immunosuppression than VATS, irrespective of organ resection.
Ito
Yoshitaka
Y
Department of General and Cardiothoracic Surgery, Kanazawa University School of Medicine, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan.
Oda
Makoto
M
Tsunezuka
Yoshio
Y
Matsumoto
Isao
I
Ishikawa
Norihiko
N
Kawakami
Kazuyuki
K
Ota
Yasuhiko
Y
Watanabe
Go
G
D000818:Animals; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000379:methods*
D015850:Interleukin-6