The authors investigated the cytokine levels in patients after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LCHE), conventional open cholecystectomy (OCHE) and complicated open cholecystectomy (KOMPL) in order to assess whether there is a relationship between cytokine levels and the general reaction of the organism, the type and extent of the operation. They did not find an increase of IL-1 or IL-2 levels in any of the patient groups. The IL-6 concentration was slightly raised only in three patients of the OCHE group three hours after surgery and this rise persisted for 24 hours. In the KOMPL group there was a more marked rise of IL-6 in 9 patients within 3 hours after surgery, persisting in 6 patients for 24 hours and in 2 patients for 48 hours. The TNF values were similar; in group OCHE they were slightly elevated in 2 patients 24 hours after operation. In the KOMPL group these values were elevated in 5 patients for 3 hours after surgery and this increase persisted in 2 for 24 hours after surgery. Based on the investigation of cytokine levels, which is a recent indicator for evaluating the reaction of the organism to stress, conclude that laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a minimal stress for the patient and is associated with a zero defence reaction of the organism, if evaluated according to serum cytokine concentrations.