Is gynaecological laparoscopic surgery dangerous ?

An appropriate study of possible complications is necessary toevaluate the results of a surgical technique. The aim of this studywas to find out if gynaecologic laparoscopy, when performed forbenign gynaecologic pathology (tying of the Fallopian tubes, extrauterine pregnancy, ovarian cyst, hysterectomy, myomectomy)would expose patients to an increased risk of complications comparedto laparotomy. A meta-analysis specifically focused on complications,including all randomized prospective trials comparinglaparoscopy and laparotomy for benign gynaecological pathologywas conducted. Results of this meta-analysis show that global riskof complications was significantly less important for patients operatedon through laparoscopy than for patients operated on throughlaparotomy (RR 0.59 ; 95 % CI 0.50-0.70). Moreover, there was nostatistically significant difference concerning risk of major complicationsin relation to surgical procedure (RR1.0 ; 95% CI 0.60-1.65). The risk of minor complications was significantly less importantin patients operated on through laparoscopy (RR 0.55; 95% CI0.45-0.66).