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To obtain consensus as to the optimal form of entry technique for access to the peritoneal cavity.

A meta‐analysis of all relevant English language studies of laparoscopic entry complications.

Incidence of bowel and major vascular injuries.

Bowel injuries occur in 0.7/1000 and major vascular injuries in 0.4/1000. The overall incidence of major injuries at time of entry is 1.1/1000. The direct entry technique is associated with a significantly reduced major injury incidence of 0.5/1000, when compared to both open and Veress entry produces (1.1 and 0.9/1000 respectively, p = 0.0005). Entry‐related bowel injuries are reported more often following general surgical laparoscopies than with gynaecological procedures (p = 0.001). No such difference is seen in the incidence of vascular injuries (p = 0.987). Open entry is statistically more likely to be associated …