title: Complications of gynaecological laparoscopy--a retrospective analysis of 3572 cases from a single institute.
abstract: Three thousand, five hundred and seventy-two laparoscopic procedures were analysed retrospectively from a single institution between 1996 and 2003. Operations were classified into four groups as diagnostic laparoscopy (386, 10.8%), minor (1092, 30.5%), major (1866, 52.4%) and advanced (228, 6.5%) laparoscopic procedures. Overall, 67 (1.88%) complications occurred. The complication rates were 1.81%, 1.37%, 1.82% and 4.82% in the respective groups. One death (0.03%) occurred due to aortic injury during insertion of the principal intraumbilical trocar. Complications during insertion of the Verres needle, principal and accessory trocars were noted in 25 cases (38.2%) and were comparable among the four groups. Intraoperative complications occurred in 32 patients (47.8%) encountered mainly in the major and advanced groups. Overall, acute postoperative complications occurred in 10 (14.9%) patients. Despite advanced technology and experience, complications during the installation phase of laparoscopy remain a major cause of significant morbidity and most operative complications occurred in advanced operative procedures. Complications associated with all types of laparoscopic procedures should not be underestimated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University Medical School, Sihhiye 06140, Ankara, Turkey. tarikak@superonline.com.tr
authors.forename: Aksu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tarik
authors.forename: Coskun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fehmi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001011:Aorta / Q000293:injuries; D001158:Arteries / Q000293:injuries; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000293:injuries; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000401:mortality; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000293:injuries