Prevention is the best strategy
As the opening case demonstrates, major vessel injury can occur without warning and cause cascading problems that can lead to permanent disability—even death. Because most serious vessel injuries occur during entry into the anterior abdominal wall, careful attention to entry techniques and the patient’s unique circumstances (obesity, presence of adhesions) can go a long way toward averting injury. Vigilance for the possibility of injury is also important throughout the procedure. When injury does occur, it is critical to call for help as soon as possible and to have safeguards in place to manage it.
Tune in again in October 2012 for Part 2 of this series, which offers insight into gastrointestinal and urinary tract injuries during laparoscopy and offers valuable guidance on avoiding and managing related complications.
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