Laparoscopy in the massively obese female

Fifteen women weighing more than 250 pounds (113.6 kg) underwent laparoscopy. The open technique was used in two patients electively because of repeated pelvic laparotomies through periumbilical incisions. Of the remainder, four had used the closed technique and in nine it was necessary to adopt an open technique. Use of the latter effectively "lengthened" the instruments. Visualization was excellent in all but one subject, and the only complication was a single case of wound cellulitis.