Risks and Complications of Laparoscopy

This page describes risks in general terms. It does not tell you how likely any of them are for you: that depends on your diagnosis, age, other health conditions, the specific operation, and whether the surgery is planned or an emergency. Only your treating doctor can put these risks in context for your case.

Risks related to anaesthesia

• Nausea, vomiting, sore throat and drowsiness after waking
• Reactions to anaesthetic medicines
• Breathing or heart-related problems, which are more of a concern in people with existing heart or lung disease

The anaesthetist assesses these before surgery and monitors you throughout.

Risks common to most operations

• Bleeding, sometimes needing a blood transfusion
• Infection of a wound or inside the abdomen
• Blood clots in the legs or lungs
• Pain that lasts longer than expected
• Slow return of bowel function
• Scar-related problems, including hernia at a port site

Risks more specific to laparoscopy

• Injury during access. Placing the first instrument can, uncommonly, injure bowel, bladder or blood vessels.
• Effects of the gas. Carbon dioxide can cause shoulder-tip pain, bloating and, rarely, gas tracking under the skin. The pressure can affect breathing and circulation during surgery, which is why monitoring is continuous.
• Injury to nearby structures. Depending on the operation, this can include the bile duct, ureters, bladder, bowel or major vessels.
• Conversion to open surgery. Sometimes necessary for safety or to complete the operation.
• Adhesions. Internal scar tissue can form after any abdominal surgery.
• Incomplete treatment or the need for further surgery.

Procedure-specific risks are noted on the individual pages, for example gallbladder surgery, hernia repair and gynaecological laparoscopy.

Factors that can increase risk

• Emergency rather than planned surgery
• Severe infection or advanced disease at the time of surgery
• Previous abdominal operations with extensive adhesions
• Obesity, smoking, poorly controlled diabetes, heart or lung disease
• Older age or frailty
• Certain medicines, particularly blood thinners

Some of these can be improved before planned surgery — for example, stopping smoking or improving diabetes control. Ask your doctor what would help in your case.

How risks are reduced

• Pre-operative assessment and optimisation of existing conditions
• Checklists, sterile technique and preventive antibiotics where indicated
• Measures to prevent blood clots, such as early walking and compression stockings
• Careful monitoring during and after surgery
• Clear discharge instructions and follow-up

Talk to your surgeon about your own risk

Useful questions include: what are the most likely complications in my case, how would they be detected and treated, what would happen if I chose not to have surgery now, and what should I watch for at home? The patient guide lists warning signs that need prompt medical attention.