complications
Last reviewed 01/2018
The complications of laparoscopic surgery are numerous but become less frequent with operator experience:
- biliary surgery:
- bile duct injury in around 0.5%
- cystic duct leakage
- postoperative bile leak
- retained stones
- perihepatic abscesses
- bowel:
- perforation of trocar
- hernia through anterior abdominal wall
- from carbon dioxide insufflation:
- cardiac acidosis
- respiratory depression
- subcutaneous emphysema
- air embolus
- tension pneumothorax
- haemorrhage:
- abdominal wall
- aorta
- inferior vena cava
- miscellaneous:
- urinary retention
- specific to operation, e.g. 'gas bloat' syndrome with anti-reflux surgery