Major complications arising from 1265 operative laparoscopic cases: a prospective review from a single center

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To identify the volume and type of laparoscopic surgery being performed. To review the incidence, nature of associated complications, and reasons for conversion to laparotomy. DESIGN: A multicenter, prospective case load analysis and chart review, identifying operations performed by 6 advanced laparoscopic surgeons over a 12-month period (1/1/05 to 12/31/05). SETTING: Surgical cases were performed in 5 hospitals in Sydney, New South Wales. PATIENTS: One thousand two hundred sixty-five women underwent a variety of major and advanced operative procedures. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 1265 major and advanced laparoscopic procedures were performed. Laparoscopic hysterectomy accounted for 364 cases (28.8%), pelvic floor repair and Burch colposuspension 280 cases (22.2%), excisional endometriosis surgery 354 cases (28%), adnexal surgery 177 cases (13.9%), adhesiolysis 75 cases (5.9%), and miscellaneous cases 15 (1.2%). Overall major complications in terms of bowel, urologic, or major vessel injuries accounted for 8 cases (0.6%). There were 4 injuries of the bowel, 2 injuries to the bladder, and 2 injuries to ureters. There were no major vessel injuries. There were no injuries associated with primary trocar or Veres needle insertion. The most common perioperative morbidity reported was the requirement for blood transfusion (11 cases [0.9%]), and the second most common was venous thromboembolism (4 patients [0.3%]). Six (0.5%) cases were converted to laparotomy, 2 as a result of a complication and 4 for technical reasons. Six of the 8 complications were managed laparoscopically, and a multidisciplinary input was sought only in 4 of the 8 complications. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the advanced nature of laparoscopic procedures performed by our group, the complication rate and conversion to laparotomy remain low. There is an increasing feasibility to perform traditional open operations laparoscopically. An increasing number of these complications are now being managed laparoscopically by the gynecologist.