Surgical Techniques

How to avoid intestinal and urinary tract injuries during gynecologic laparoscopy

OBG Manag. 2012 October;24(10):34-44

Michael Baggish, MD
Dr. Baggish practices Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Women’s Center at Saint Helena Hospital in Saint Helena, California. He also serves as Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of California, San Francisco, and as Emeritus Chairman and Residency Director, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Good Samaritan Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Dr. Baggish reports no financial relationships relevant to this article.

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References

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Choose an approach wisely

Laparoscopy is a learned skill. Supervised practice generally leads to greater levels of proficiency, and repetition of the same operations improves dexterity and execution. However, laparoscopy is also an art—some people have the touch and some do not.

Although laparoscopic techniques offer many advantages, they also have shortcomings. The complications described here, and the strategies I have offered for preventing and managing them, should help gynecologic surgeons determine whether laparoscopy is the optimal route of operation, based on surgical experience, characteristics of the individual patient, and other variables.

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