Laparoscopic entry techniques and complications.

OBJECTIVE

To identify laparoscopic entry techniques employed by gynecologists in the United Kingdom to determine if the consensus technique is adhered to, and to observe whether entry technique affects complication rate.

METHOD

An anonymous postal questionnaire was sent to gynecologists with an interest in laparoscopic surgery in the United Kingdom.

RESULTS

At total of 568 questionnaires were sent and 345 (60.7%) were returned. Of gynecologists who returned the questionnaire 194 (57%) reported occurrence of a major bowel or vascular complication. In terms of the key elements of the consensus document there was no significant difference in entry technique used between those that reported major injury (vascular, bowel, or both), and those that did not.

CONCLUSIONS

This survey demonstrates the variation in entry techniques used by gynecologists in the United Kingdom. Without a good evidence-base to the contrary no entry technique can be stated as safer than another.