The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of laparoscopic cho
lecystectomy on platelet function. We operated on 40 women with symptomatic
gallbladder stone, 20 of whom (study group) underwent laparoscopic cholecy
stectomy and 20 of whom (control group) open cholecystectomy. Patients with
a history of bleeding, abnormal platelet count, or systemic disorders and
those who were on salicylates, heparin, or oral anticoagulants were exclude
d. Blood parameters were checked at the beginning and the end of the operat
ion, including platelet aggregation using adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP), c
ollagen, and ristocetin in a whole-blood aggregometer. Platelet aggregation
,vas evaluated by percent aggregation. Platelet aggregation due to collagen
and ristocetin increased significantly at the end of the operation in the
study group (p < 0.001). Aggregation due to ADP did not differ significantl
y from the start to the end of the operation. Control group results did not
show any differences. Although the clinical findings of aggregated platele
t are not frequently observed in practice, we suggest that laparoscopy incr
eases platelet aggregation.