Abstract
Objective: To follow the incidence of major complications in women who had gynecologic laparoscopy at a university hospital in Saudi Arabia. Design: Retrospective chart review. Materials and Methods: The hospital records of all women who underwent gynecologic laparoscopy at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from April 1997 to September 2013 was reviewed. Demographic data, indications, types and presence of complications of laparoscopic procedures performed were determined. Results: During the study period, a total of 1580 gynecologic laparoscopies were performed. One thousand and sixty-three were diagnostic (67.3%) and 517 were operative (32.7%). Indications for laparoscopy were 771 (48.8%) for infertility, 196 (12.4%) for abdomen and pelvic pain, 238 (15.1%) for pelvic mass, 73 (4.6%) for abnormal vaginal bleeding, 207 (13.1%) for ectopic pregnancy, 28 (1.8%) for removal of missing intrauterine contraceptive device, 24 (1.5%) for tubal ligation, and 43 (2.7%) for other indications. Conversion to laparotomy occurred in 119 women (7.5%). There were no deaths in the series. However, one vascular and one bladder injury had occurred. Conclusion: Despite the increased variety and complexity of operative cases, the presence of subspecialty staff and improved training has contributed to maintaining a low rate of complications in gynecologic laparoscopy