Cardiovascular collapse after laparoscopic liver biopsy

We describe a unique complication of laparoscopic liver biopsy. The increased intra-abdominal pressure associated with carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum produced haemodynamic stability by tamponading a trochar-induced retroperitoneal haemorrhage. After deflation of the abdomen, release of the tamponade resulted in acute cardiovascular collapse. Other complications associated with laparoscopic surgery are also discussed.