The Power Morcellator is a surgical instrument used to divide and remove masses during hysterectomies, fibroid removal and other laparoscopic surgeries. The device is inserted through small incisions and removes tissue after aggressively cutting and shredding it.
The device can put women at increased risk for a number of deadly uterine cancers. According to FDA analysis, 1 in 350 women undergoing surgical treatment for fibroids has an unsuspected uterine sarcoma that cannot be reliably detected before surgery. During power morcellation, there is a chance pieces of tissue may be left behind. If the tissue is malignant, cancer may be spread.
The FDA issued a safety alert in April 2014 discouraging the use of these devices in uterine and fibroid removal procedures. If you have undergone a procedure where a power morcellator was used, and subsequently developed uterine cancer, please contact us to review your potential case.