[Injuries of the large vessels caused by laparoscopy]

Laparoscopy is used in surgery, internal medicine and gynecology for diagnostic as well as for therapeutic purpose. Frequency of complications is minimal. By means of 4 cases it will be demonstrated that severe traumata of the retroperitoneal vessels are possible using this method. We could prove by anatomic studies that the possibility of vascular injury should not be underestimated because of the mostly bifurcation. Diagnostic and therapeutic consequences have been discussed.