OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of laparoscopy-assisted and open distal gastrectomies on the perioperative levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and visceral proteins in patients with gastric cancer.

METHODST Fifty-three patients with gastric cancer were randomized into two groups to receive laparoscopic surgery (n=26) or open surgery (n=27). The CRP levels were measured preoperatively and at 1, 2, 3 and 7 days after the operation. The levels of the visceral proteins including albumin (ALB), prealbumin (PRE), transferrin (TRF) and retinal-binding protein (RbP) were assayed before and at 3 and 7 days after the operation.

RESULTSCompared with the preoperative levels, the CRP levels in both groups were significantly increased on days 1, 2, and 3 after the operation (P<0.05), with the highest level occurred on day 2 postoperatively. The postoperative CRP levels were significantly lower in the laparoscopic group than in the open surgery group (P<0.01). The levels of ALB, PRE, TRF, and RbP were significantly decreased after operation in both groups (P<0.01) without significant differences between the two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONCompared with open surgeries, laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer causes minimal surgical trauma and mild inflammatory responses to allow the recovery of the levels of the visceral proteins.