With a detailed knowledge of pelvic anatomy, familiarity with the many laparoscopic instruments, and attention to the details of good technique, many of the complications of laparoscopy described in this article can be avoided. The information presented complements that in the other articles in this issue and briefly summarizes many salient lessons already published in other excellent texts. The focus is on the most common laparoscopic complications, namely, those associated with insufflation and trocar insertion, such as vascular injury and bowel perforation. Other complications that may arise during adhesiolysis, removal of and bleeding from an ectopic pregnancy, and specimen removal from the abdomen are also discussed.