Laparoscopy is a commonly performed procedure and complications are generally rare.
Minor complications
Minor complications occur in an estimated one or two cases in every 100 after a laparoscopy. They include:
- post-operative infection
- minor bleeding and bruising around the site of the incision
- nausea and vomiting
Major complications
Major complications after a laparoscopy are rare. They occur in an estimated 1 in every 1,000 cases and include:
- damage to an organ, such as your bowel or bladder, which could result in the loss of organ function
- damage to a major artery
- damage to the nerves in your pelvis, which could lead to erectile dysfunction in men
- complications arising from the use of carbon dioxide during the procedure, such as the gas bubbles entering your veins or arteries
- a serious allergic reaction to the general anaesthetic
Further surgery is usually required to treat these major complications.
