There is a risk of puncturing an organ, which could cause leakage of intestinal contents or bleeding into the abdominal cavity. This may require more involved surgery. Severe injury may result in infection or the need for blood transfusion.
The ability to perform laparoscopic surgery is limited by the presence of previous abdominal or pelvic surgery. Prior surgery may have led to scar formation, which prevents the safe passage of laparoscopic instuments into the abdomen, and may also prevent the abdominal wall from being effectively distended by the gas instillation.
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