Coagulation, inflammatory, and stress responses in a randomized comparison of open and laparoscopic repair of recurrent inguinal hernia

In previous comparisons of inflammatory and stress responses to open (OR) and laparoscopic (LR) hernia repair, all operations were performed under general anesthesia. Since local anesthesia is widely used for OR, a comparison of this approach with LR seemed relevant. Patients with recurrent inguinal hernia were randomized to OR under local anesthesia (n = 30) or LR under general anesthesia (n = 31). The magnitude of the surgical trauma was assessed by measuring markers of coagulation (prothrombin fragment 1 + 2), endothelial activation (von Willebrand factor), inflammation [leukocytes, interleukin-6, -8 and -10, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and C-reactive protein (CRP)], and endocrine stress (cortisol) in blood collected before operation, 4 h postincision, and on postoperative day 2. Leukocyte counts and interleukin-6 and CRP levels increased in both groups, with the CRP increase being significantly greater in the OR group. The other markers did not increase significantly. The acute phase response was more pronounced after OR, even when this was done under local anesthesia. Both techniques seemed rather atraumatic.