Faculty Collaboration Database

[Management of more frequent complications of laparoscopic surgery. Minimally invasive or always open surgery?]. Chirurg 2015 Dec;86(12):1105-13

Date

10/24/2015

Pubmed ID

26495447

DOI

10.1007/s00104-015-0101-1

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84949626862 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Two decades after the far-reaching establishment of elective laparoscopic surgery, the questions arise whether and when the benefits of this technology can be sufficiently and safely implemented even in cases of complications.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The currently available literature was analyzed in the context of recommendations for the management of complications in laparoscopic surgery.

RESULTS: Intraoperative and postoperative complications of minimally invasive surgery necessitating treatment are extremely rare and can be expected in only 0.1–5 % of interventions, depending on the complexity of the intervention. In addition to adhesion-related and anatomical limitations, they are responsible for the necessity to convert to open surgery in approximately 40–60 % of the cases.

DISCUSSION: Due to the relative rarity and great variety of potential complications, there is no scientific evidence at the study level that can give reliable recommendations for a management strategy in every situation. It still has to be decided on an individual basis and depending on the particular clinical situation if a successful laparoscopic management can be sufficiently and safely carried out. It has been found that a number of complications can be well controlled by minimally invasive procedures; however, in addition to a high level of personal experience in laparoscopy, optimal technical, institutional and instrumental conditions must be available. If these factors are not present in total, a conventional open approach should still be given preference.

Author List

Ludwig K, Scharlau U, Schneider Koriath S

Author

Kirk A. Ludwig MD Chief, Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Conversion to Open Surgery
Cross-Sectional Studies
Germany
Humans
Intraoperative Complications
Laparoscopy
Postoperative Complications
Risk Factors