Possible compli­ca­tions

As with any operation, complications can occur with laparoscopy. Fortunately, complications are rare, and they are recognised immediately so that they can be treated appropriately.

We position you carefully on the operating table. Soft gel pads give extra protection to your arms, legs and head. In general, it is important that you are positioned comfortably on the operating table. Even so, when positioning takes place under anaesthesia, there is always a risk of injury.

If you have artificial joints (in the knee, hip or spine) or a condition affecting your muscles or skeleton, please tell us before the operation so that we can make sure you are positioned in the best possible way on the operating table.

During surgery in the abdomen, some organs (such as the bladder or the bowel) or blood vessels may be injured. Although these injuries are extremely rare, they require an operation in which the abdomen is opened (laparotomy). If there is heavy bleeding, a blood transfusion may be needed.

After the operation, bleeding may occur in the operated area, which makes a second operation necessary to deal with the bleeding.

Reducing the risk of bleeding

To keep the risk of bleeding as low as possible, it is important:

1. that, when your medical history is taken, you tell our clinic’s doctor in detail about the pills and any other medicines you have taken
2. that you do not take aspirin or other anticoagulants (blood thinners) in the 2 weeks before and after the operation.

Problems with wound healing can occur mainly in patients with a weakened immune system or in patients who are generally unwell. Thanks to the small incisions, however, these cases can usually be treated without difficulty. You can also help to prevent wound-healing problems effectively yourself, in the following ways:

1. If you smoke, try to cut down or, better still, stop.
2. If you have diabetes and take insulin every day, try to keep your blood sugar as well controlled as possible. Your family doctor will be glad to help you with this.

Although a quick recovery and getting the patient up and moving early, as is usual after laparoscopic surgery, are the best way to prevent thrombosis or embolism, thromboses and embolisms have also been seen after laparoscopic operations. If you belong to a risk group, we will discuss preventive measures with you for the operation (e.g. heparin given around the time of surgery).