Objective: To describe laparoscopic complications due to trocar insertions and to define their prevention as well as their risk factors.
Study design: The SFEG registry of laparoscopic complications was used for our study; 26 complications due to trocar insertions were recorded to this day by the register including 12 vascular injuries, 9 bowel injuries, 3 bladder perforations and 2 incisional herinas. In order to avoid accidents of this technique, patient profile, laparoscopy indications, trocar type, diagnosis and treatment of the complications as well as the outcome must be defined.
Results: Whatever the operator's experience, the indication of laparoscopy and the trocar type some patients seem to have complications at laparoscopy: 70% of studied group had prior surgical treatment and 50% were over weight. However, it appeared that safety rules were not been taken into account for one-third of the trocar injuries. Consequently, laparotomy was used by the same surgeons for these complications in 89% of cases, laparotomy was delayed in 27% of the cases.
Conclusion: In order to prevent laparoscopic complications, the surgeon must (i) inform the patients about risks which may occur, (ii) be careful, and (iii) declare each complication to a national registry such as the SFEG registry.