Litigation of laparoscopic major vessel injuries in Canada

This study is a review of conditions and circumstances associated with 15 i njuries to great vessels during laparoscopic surgery, Thirteen cases were l itigated in Canada and two occurred in the author's operating room. Body ha bitus may have been an underlying factor in the injuries. Most injuries wer e entry related and independent on complexity of surgery. One was caused by the Veress needle and one by a secondary trocar, and three occurred during dissection of adhesions. Ten were primary trocar injuries, 9 after pneumop eritoneum and I at direct trocar insertion. Of these, five were caused by r eusable and five by disposable trocars with so-called safety shields. In 6 of 15 cases recognition of the injury was delayed; 5 in the recovery room. Eleven women had uncomplicated recovery. Of 13 litigated cases, 8 (62%) res ulted in settlement.