title: Open laparoscopy: 29-year experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the safety and efficacy of open laparoscopy as a method of access to the abdominal cavity for laparoscopic surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed retrospectively all cases of open laparoscopy we did between August 1970 and June 1999.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-seven (0.5%) of 5284 patients who had open laparoscopies during the study years developed complications related to primary access. Twenty-one had minor wound infections, four had minor hematomas, one developed an umbilical hernia that required reoperation, and one had an inadvertent injury to the small bowel that was repaired intraoperatively without adverse outcome. Access to the abdominal cavity was generally secured in 3-10 minutes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Open laparoscopy was associated with no method failure or life-threatening complications. Minor and medium risk complications occurred at a rate of 0.5%. Open laparoscopy is a safe, effective method of accessing the abdominal cavity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Louis A. Weiss Memorial Hospital, Chicago and Oak Brook, Illinois, USA. hhasson@weisshospital.org
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Hasson
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rotman
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rana
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Kumari
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois / Q000453:epidemiology; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors