Officials To Investigate Dangers Of Power Morcellation On Uterine Fibroids

December 01, 2015 – – Tracey & Fox reports that the U.S. Government Accountability Office has announced that it will, in fact, be investigating the use of laparoscopic power morcellators during gynecological surgeries on uterine fibroids. The devices, which have been the topic of many recent lawsuits, are alleged to spread previously undetected cancers when used in this fashion.

Power morcellators provide a less-invasive gynecological surgery option for women getting hysterectomies or myomectomies. The tool is able to be inserted through a small incision in the lower abdomen, where it rapidly spins tiny blades designed to shred uterine tissue and uterine fibroid tissue apart. These torn tissue pieces are then able to be removed from the abdominal cavity. As many plaintiffs in the current lawsuits state, however, as the tool shreds these tissues, it can uncover previously hidden cancers and spread those cancer cells throughout the body, upstaging the cancer and helping it to spread. This can significantly impair the patient’s chances of survival.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recently spoken out regarding the process as well, indicating that an estimated 1 in every 350 women who undergo laparoscopic power morcellation on uterine fibroids may have hidden sarcomas, which can be spread by the device. The FDA warned that most women should refrain from undergoing gynecological surgeries involving power morcellator devices.

It has recently been reported that the Government Accountability Office has agreed to conduct an official investigation into laparoscopic power morcellation use. They were contacted about looking into the matter in August by 12 members of congress who wrote a concerned letter discussing the device. According to a Wall Street Journal article, the letter stated: “Hundreds, if not thousands of women in America are dead because of a medical device known as the laparoscopic power morcellator.”

Lawsuits have been filed against multiple power morcellator manufacturers. Those involving claims against Ethicon morcellators (a division of Johnson & Johnson), have been consolidated to form multidistrict litigation for pretrial proceedings. As these lawsuits await trial, many anticipate that others will join them.

The attorneys at Tracey & Fox are working to ensure that everyone who has undergone laparoscopic power morcellation and who was subsequently diagnosed with cancer will have the opportunity to explore their legal rights. These individuals and their families may be entitled to substantial compensation. Tracey & Fox is offering free legal consultations for those affected.

For more information on power morcellation lawsuits, or to ask questions, contact the attorneys at Tracey & Fox by calling (713) 322-5375.

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Contact Tracey & Fox:

Sean Tracey
713-495-2333
440 Louisiana Street , Suite 1901
Houston, TX 77002

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