Nephrectomy in children: Comparison of stress response to laparoscopic and open methods

Aim: To evaluate and compare the extent of surgical stress following laparoscopic nephrectomy (LN) and open nephrectomy (ON) in children. Materials and Methods: Twenty consecutive children undergoing nephrectomy were randomized to LN or ON groups. Acid-base balance, blood glucose, acute phase proteins (C-reactive protein [CRP]) and inflammatory markers (interleukin-6 [IL-6]) were measured pre-operatively, as well as 4 and 24 h after surgery. The differences between the two groups were analyzed statistically (significance value for P < 0.05). Results: The overall acid base status was more stable in LN. The fall in pH 4 h after surgery was more in ON (P = 0.440) and the difference in pH in ON 4 h and 24 h post-operatively was statistically significant (P = 0.002). In LN, significant difference was found in the base excess mean pre-surgery (mean -3.280 mEq/L) and 4 h post-surgery (mean -7.480 mEq/L) (P =