Power Morcellation During Hysterectomy Procedures May Spread Diseases Other Than Cancer
In addition to cancer, women undergoing surgery with power morcellation may also be at risk for the spread of benign uterine diseases.
The findings of an important new study suggest that power morcellator surgical devices used during laparoscopic hysterectomy and myomectomy procedures may spread other diseases in addition to cancer. In the study, which was published in the January issue of the medical journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, researchers highlighted reports of complications affecting three women who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomies with power morcellation. All three cases resulted in benign uterine diseases other than cancer being spread throughout their bodies. If you underwent surgery with power morcellation, and you have since been diagnosed with cancer or another serious side effect, contact a reputable power morcellator lawyer today for legal help.
Potential Side Effects of Power Morcellation
Power morcellators are highly controversial medical devices that are sometimes used during hysterectomy and uterine fibroid removal surgeries. The surgical device allows doctors to cut up the uterus or uterine fibroids and remove the tissue through a small incision in the abdomen, which reportedly can help reduce recovery time and limit the risk of surgical complications. However, serious concerns have been raised recently about the potential for power morcellation to spread undetected leiomyosarcoma, endometrial stromal sarcoma, or other uterine cancers that may be contained within the uterus prior to surgery.
Power Morcellators May Spread Cancer Cells
The FDA has indicated that about one in 350 women undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy or myomectomy procedures with morcellation may have unsuspected sarcoma, which doctors are unable to diagnose or detect prior to surgery. In light of this finding, many have called for a ban on the potentially dangerous surgical devices, due to the risk of power morcellation spreading cancer cells throughout the body and significantly upstaging patients’ cancer. According to this new study though, the risk of complications from power morcellation may extend beyond cancer, possibly causing the spread of benign diseases as well, which could lead to tumor growths and other side effects.
Tumors, Other Complications Resulting from Power Morcellation
In one case outlined by the researchers, a 36-year-old woman was diagnosed with numerous soft tissue tumors after she underwent a laparoscopic hysterectomy, and doctors were forced to remove parts of her colon, ovaries, spleen, diaphragm and other organs. The second case involved a 51-year-old woman who was found to have developed a bowel obstruction and a mass in her pelvis after her power morcellation hysterectomy, requiring removal of her right ovaries and fallopian tubes. In the third case, another 51-year-old woman who underwent morcellation surgery developed an abdominal mass that adhered to parts of her bladder, ureters, colon, left ovary, fallopian tube, and omentum, all of which had to be resectioned to remove the mass.
Contact an Experienced Power Morcellation Lawyer Today
In the past, power morcellators have been used in approximately 50,000 hysterectomy and uterine fibroid removal surgeries each year, and many women have subsequently been diagnosed with uterine cancer and other serious complications. If you believe you have been adversely affected by side effects of power morcellation during a hysterectomy or myomectomy procedure, our consumer advocates at the Leading Justice can help. We are dedicated to protecting the rights of consumers harmed by potentially dangerous medical devices, and can help put you in touch with a knowledgeable attorney who has experience handling power morcellator injury claims.
[box type=”note” align=”aligncenter” ]Source: http://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Abstract/publishahead/Surgical_Cytoreduction_for_Disseminated_Benign.99247.aspx[/box]