Fig. 2

Plasma concentration of ACTH (a), cortisol (b), adrenaline (c), noradrenaline (d), and dopamine (e). Time points are before the surgery (1), 1 h after insufflation (2), at the end of the surgery (3), and the next morning (4). Normal ranges of ACTH, cortisol, adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine were 7.2–63.3 pg ml^− 1, 6.2–19.4 μg dl^− 1, < 100 pg ml^− 1, 100–450 pg ml^− 1, and < 20 pg ml^− 1, respectively. Data are presented as mean ± SD. * P < 0.01