Minor complications
Minor complications occur in an estimated 1 or 2 cases in every 100 following a laparoscopy. Possible complications include:
- post-operative infection,
- minor bleeding and bruising around the site of the incision (cut), and
- nausea and vomiting.
Major complications
Major complications following a laparoscopy are rare. They occur in an estimated 1 in every 1,000 cases. They 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 (blood vessel),
- 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, and
- a serious allergic reaction to the anaesthetic.
Further surgery is usually required to treat these major complications.
