Principles and strategies for dealing with complications in laparoscopy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To help surgeons and to make patients become fully aware of the risks of laparoscopic surgery. As complications are an inevitable reality of surgery, we need to be aware of the types of complications in a systematic way, train to respond in an appropriate way, and learn to communicate in a transparent and honest way to deal with complications in laparoscopic surgery.

RECENT FINDINGS: This article aims to classify complications associated with laparoscopy according to the different phases in surgery and to promote a comprehensive strategy for dealing with them.

SUMMARY: To promote a culture of risk management which delivers the benefits and minimizes the risks associated with laparoscopic surgery.