MINILAPAROTOMY FOR LAPAROSCOPY - NOT A FOOLPROOF PROCEDURE

Minilaparotomy with placement of a trocar under direct vision has been felt to be a safe approach for establishing access to the intra-abdominal contents during laparoscopy. However, there is potential for hollow viscus injury. We report a case of a 23-year-old man whose small bowel was injured during placement of a Hasson trocar at the time of laparoscopic varix ligation. The literature on laparoscopic complications is reviewed and recommendations for avoiding difficulties are outlined.