Complications of Minimally Invasive Surgery

When compared with open surgery, minimally invasive surgery leads to fewer overall complications. However, minimally invasive surgeons must be aware of the unique complications associated with these approaches. In particular, laparoscopic entry can lead to serious injury of blood vessels and/or abdominal viscera. Thermal devices can cause serious but occult injuries to the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. Finally, port sites provide opportunities for herniation and metastases, whereas pneumoperitoneum can cause subcutaneous emphysema and, rarely, gas emboli. Awareness of these complications and knowledge of their management are imperative for the gynecologic surgeon.