Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) may have catastrophic effects on critically ill patients, but its pathophysiology is only partially understood [1]. Oliguria and renal dysfunction are among the earliest signs of increasing intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) [2]. A number of different pathophysiological mechanisms may be responsible [1]. One of these may be an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines provoked by IAH [2]. In IAPs of greater than 20 mm Hg, an increase in circulating levels of a variety of inflammatory mediators has been described [3].

We analyzed markers of inflammation and renal function in a prospective randomized clinical trial. In this trial, 50 living kidney donors were randomly assigned between hand-assisted laparoscopy by a transperitoneal approach and open nephrectomy by a retroperitoneal approach [4]. In this human model of IAH, a carbon dioxide pneumo-peritoneum of 12 mm Hg was induced during the procedure in the laparoscopic group. The open nephrectomy group served as a control group, and IAH was not applied.

Markers of systemic inflammation - C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) - were determined in both groups peri-operatively. These results were previously published in a large study on the effect of different operative procedures on outcome of kidney donors [4]. As a marker of renal function, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in plasma and urine was determined in both groups at the start of the procedure and just before extraction of the donor kidney. All data are expressed as means with standard deviations. Paired t tests were performed to test for statistical significance at every time point; a P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. CRP was 1.5 times higher after 24 hours and 1.3 times higher after 48 hours in the laparoscopic group. IL-6 was 1.5 times higher after 12 hours in the laparoscopic group. NGAL in plasma was 1.2 times higher just before extraction of the kidney in the laparoscopic group. NGAL in urine did not change (Figure 1).

Figure 1
figure 1

Plasma and urine markers of renal function. (a) Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in plasma was measured by using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer (DLCN20; R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN, USA). (b) NGAL in urine was measured by using ELISA (DLCN20; R&D Systems). Dots represent the laparoscopic group, and squares represent the open nephrectomy group (n = 50). *P <0.05.

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Although procedure time is shorter [4], laparoscopic nephrectomy leads to increased inflammation and signs of renal injury. It is tempting to hypothesize that even mild IAH leads to mildly increased systemic inflammation and increased plasma NGAL as a sign of acute kidney injury in this group. Other factors such as operative technique or inflammation caused by carbon dioxide gas may contribute. Further studies to dissect the contributions of inflammation, hemodynamics, and local pressure effects on renal injury in IAH are warranted.