Laparoscopic surgery provides tremendous benefits to patients, including faster recovery, shorter hospital stay, and earlier return to normal activities and less immunologic impairments.

In this study we aimed to study the effect of different intraperitoneal instillations on leukocyte count to evaluate patients’ immunologic response.

We studied 125 patients in a double-blind, randomized clinical trial. The patients received either instillation of 250 mL of normal saline (n = 31) or 100 mg bupivacaine diluted in 250 mL of normal saline (n = 31) or 100 mg hydrocortisone diluted in 250 mL of normal saline (n = 31) or 100 mg hydrocortisone plus 100 mg bupivacaine diluted in 250 mL normal saline (n = 32) before insufflation of Carbon Dioxide into the peritoneum randomly. Leukocyte counts were recorded before and after the operation. We recorded abdominal pain using visual analogue scale (VAS), postoperative analgesics needed and recovery variables in the recovery room and 6, 12 and 24 hours after the operation.

The study was completed by 120 patients. Patients who received intraperitoneal hydrocortisone and hydrocortisone plus bupivacaine had higher white blood cell (WBC) count (P < 0.0001). The patients were similar with respect to demographic information, operational characteristics and recovery variables. The abdominal pain scores were significantly lower in patients receiving instilled intraperitoneal hydrocortisone plus bupivacaine and less analgesic was require by them (P < 0.0001).

We conclude that intraperitoneal hydrocortisone instillation caused leukocytosis and is thus suggested not to be used in immune-compromised patients.