Postlaparoscopic iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms of the arteries of the peritoneal and retroperitoneal space: case report and review of the literature.
OBJECTIVE
Laparoscopic surgery procedures are associated with a low percentage of cases of iatrogenic traumatic laceration of the arteries of the peritoneal and retroperitoneal space. These lesions rarely lead to pseudoaneurysm formation. In 1 case, we performed a meta-analytic review of the literature on postlaparoscopic iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms focusing on specific parameters: (1) artery involved, (2) type of laparoscopic operation, (3) time interval between the laparoscopic operation and the final diagnosis of the pseudoaneurysm, (4) clinical presentation, (5) diagnostic tools used, (6) mode of treatment applied, and (7) clinical outcome.


METHODS
We searched Medline for pseudoaneurysms developing as complications of laparoscopic procedures. The search terms used were "iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm," "complications after laparoscopic procedures," "traumatic arterial laceration," "pseudoaneurysm formation," and "postoperative hematoma" in various combinations.


CONCLUSIONS
A total of 66 cases were retrieved. Postlaparoscopic iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms are late manifestations of arterial complications developing during routine laparoscopy. There are 66 reported cases of this type of complication in the literature. The majority occurs in the arteries of the operation field of the respective laparoscopic procedure. Distal vessels are involved less frequently. They usually present after a mean period of approximately 6 weeks. The hepatic and renal arteries are usually affected. The clinical picture includes upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding, diffuse or localized abdominal pain, hematuria, and drain bleeding.
Parthenis
Dimitrios G
DG
Experimental Surgery Unit, Critical Care Department, Evangelismos Hospital, Ipsilantou 45-47, Athens 10676, Greece. dparthenis@netscape.net
Skevis
Kostas
K
Stathopoulos
Vasilis
V
Bellenis
Ion
I
Vassilakopoulos
Theodoros
T
D000293:Adolescent; D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000209:etiology*; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002769:Cholelithiasis; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D008297:Male; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space / Q000293:injuries; D012421:Rupture / Q000209:etiology*; D013997:Time Factors