We have compared metabolic and respiratory changes after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (n = 15) with those after open cholecystectomy (n = 15). The durations of postoperative i.v. therapy, fasting and hospital stay were significantly shorter in the laparoscopy group. During the first and second days after operation, analgesic consumption but not pain scores (visual analogue scale) were significantly smaller after laparoscopy, while vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, and PaO2 were significantly greater. The metabolic and acute phase responses (glucose, leucocytosis, C-reactive protein) were less after laparoscopy compared with laparotomy. Although plasma cortisol and catecholamine concentrations were not significantly different between the two groups, after surgery interleukin-6 concentrations were less in the laparoscopy group.