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Urinary complications are some of the more common complications of laparoscopic urologic surgery. The overall incidence of urinary tract injury following laparoscopy urologic surgery in large series is under 1% [1, 2]. These injuries can occur both in upper tract and in pelvic urologic laparoscopy. They include injures to the ureter, urinary leaks after extirpative and reconstructive procedures, bladder injuries, and anastomotic leaks. In general, urinary complications after robotic-assisted laparoscopic procedures is similar and is thus discussed together.

Urinary tract injuries are uncommon during laparoscopic or open colon surgery. However, the ureters and bladder may be injured if significant inflammation and fibrosis are present. Awareness of the possibility of urinary tract injury and steps to prevent injury, such as preoperative placement of ureteral catheters, can further reduce the incidence of such events. Intraoperative recognition is far preferable to postoperative diagnosis of a urinary tract injury. Fortunately, the urinary tract is relatively forgiving so long as the urine is diverted with an indwelling ureteral stent or a large bladder catheter during the healing process.

This chapter describes the most common complications associated with laparoscopic surgery, with an emphasis on prevention and management. Reference texts published by Borten(1) and by Corfman et al.(2) Provide comprehensive reviews of laparoscopic complications, and every gynecologic endoscopic surgeon should review these or a similar text.