The accidents and complications of laparoscopy. a review of 8,915 cases
Martí-Vicente, A.; García, V.; Toro, H.; Seres, I.; Enríquez, J.; Vilardell, F.
Revista Espanola de Enfermedades Digestivas Organo Oficial de la Sociedad Espanola de Patologia Digestiva 82(6): 411-417
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 1130-0108 PMID: 1493060 Document Number: 392140
Complications occurring in 8,915 laparoscopies done during 1957-1991 are analyzed. Complications were classified as major or minor, according to the need of surgical intervention for their management, and also in relation to pneumoperitoneum, introduction of the laparoscope, during the examination or after laparoscopy. The total number of major accidents was 54 (0.60%). Half of them as a consequence of the instrumentation or of liver biopsy. There were 442 minor complications (4.96%). Mortality included 10 patients (0.11%) as a sequel of uncontrolled haemorrhage, 5 of them after liver biopsy. The complications of laparoscopy cannot be ignored; as all invasive techniques it may have a risk, even in the most expert hands. Half of the major accidents and of the mortality were due to complications from liver biopsy.