Regulation of neutrophil infiltration into peritoneal cavity by laparoscopic gastrectomy

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.

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.

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.

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.