Small bowel obstruction in a peritoneal defect after laparoscopic Burch procedure.

With expansion of laparoscopic surgery, the gynecologic surgeon faces a new set of complications not encountered in open surgery and completely related to the laparoscopic approach. A rare complication occurred after laparoscopic Burch colposuspension performed in a patient with genuine stress urinary incontinence. Although the fascial incision at the right lower quadrant cannula insertion site was closed, a loop of small bowel herniated through the nonclosed peritoneal defect and caused intestinal obstruction 9 days after surgery. For cannula insertion sites 10-mm and greater, we recommend suturing peritoneal defects at the time of fascial closure. (J Am Assoc Gynecol Laparosc 6(3):343-345, 1999)