A Study of the Correlation between Pre-Operative Risk Factors and Various Complications Occurring during and after Laparoscopic Procedures

Background: Laparoscopic surgeries have experienced a boom since the 1990's. The benefits of laparoscopic approach were so readily apparent that laparoscopic procedures soon became the standard of care without any randomized controlled trials comparing it to the previous gold standard procedures (e.g. Cholecystectomy). Laparoscopy by definition is minimally invasive surgical approach which is being used in many minor and major surgeries. The significant advantages seen in laparoscopic surgeries are minimal blood loss, reduced hospital stay, less post-operative pain, disability and quicker recovery as compared to open surgeries. As more and more surgeries are being done laparoscopically the incidence and magnitude of complications is also expected to increase. It is of crucial importance that the complications associated with laparoscopic surgeries be identified in time to prevent serious patient sequelae and morbidity. A complication is defined as a new problem or illness that makes the treatment of a previous or pre-existing condition more difficult. Complications of laparoscopic procedures can be broadly divided as general complications of laparoscopy and complications specific to the procedure itself. With this background knowledge from the literature we conducted this study to evaluate various complications which occur during and after laparoscopic procedures and to find a correlation between complications and pre-existing risk factors.