Gynecological surgeries: use of a power morcellator is associated with higher cancer risk
A power morcellator is a tool used during surgery to remove uterine fibroids or a woman's uterus. The morcellator spins and rapidly cuts the tissue intended for removal. The spinning nature of the tool can cause cancer cells in the tissue to be spread throughout the abdomen and uterine cavity. The presence of these cancerous cells may not have been known or obvious at the time of the surgery.
The FDA and the majority of the medical community now believe that the use of power morcellators during hysterectomies and uterine fibroid removal surgeries is contraindicated. In November of 2014, the FDA issued an announcement to "reduce the risk of the spreading unsuspected cancer" in women being treated for uterine fibroids. Bluntly, this is a tragedy that women had a procedure that is supposedly a quick and safe and instead it is literally "upstaging" their condition - in a way that is potentially fatal.
Surgeons must disclose to patients that there is a risk of unsuspected cancer being spread through the use of the power morcellator. The FBI is investigating whether Ethicon (a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson) knew of the elevated risks associated with its power morcellator.
The law in most states provides an opportunity to file a personal injury lawsuit for you to recover for your pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages and punitive damages due to the negligent or willful harm that you sustained.
If you or a loved one have experienced an injury due to the negligence of a surgeon, medical product or that you believe is related to the use of a power morcellator, contact our experienced personal injury attorneys today at (312)327-1840.
