Transcorporeal injury to a surgical assistant with the CO₂ laser during laparoscopy

Background: Injury to the surgeon or assistant is an uncommon, but probably underreported, complication of laser use in gynecologic surgery. Case: A laser injury occurred to the finger of the surgical assistant during the intraabdominal portion of a total laparoscopic hysterectomy. In this case, the assistant was burned during manipulation of the vagina and uterus despite the use of moistened gauze. Conclusion: Inadvertent injury is possible through transcorporeal passage of the CO₂ laser beam during laparoscopy. This complication is best avoided by using only intraabdominal manipulation of the uterus or an alternate cutting source.