Regulation of neutrophil infiltration into peritoneal cavity by laparoscopic gastrectomy.

Background/aims: Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive operation developed for treating gastrointestinal malignancies. We aimed to characterize the differences in the intra-abdominal environment following open and laparoscopic surgeries.

Methodology: We investigated data of 48 patients who underwent gastrectomy between 2010 and 2012. We analyzed the mRNA expression of chemokines, indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO), and so on in peritoneal lavage fluid with real-time RT-PCR. We also determined the leukocyte population and calculated the granulocyte/lymphocyte (G/L) ratio in peritoneal lavage fluid using flow cytometry.

Results: CCL3 mRNA was significantly upregulated, whereas IDO mRNA was significantly downregulated, in the open group compared to the laparoscopic surgery group. Flow cytometry revealed that the G/L ratio was significantly higher in the open group.

Conclusions: We suggest that the production of chemokines and neutrophil infiltration into the abdominal cavity may be suppressed in the laparoscopic surgery. Thus, laparoscopic surgery may be beneficial in preserving local immunity.