3 PA Power Morcellator Plaintiffs Claim Device Spread Cancer From Uterine Fibroids

December 02, 2015 – – Tracey & Fox reports on lawsuits filed against power morcellator manufacturer Gyrus ACMI by 3 women in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The complaints commonly allege that the laparoscopic power morcellator tool manufactured by Gyrus ACMI and used on them during gynecological surgeries to remove uterine fibroids also exposed and spread previously encapsulated and hidden uterine cancer cells. The women’s complaints have been filed under case numbers 150401310, 150401312, and 150900680.

Power morcellator devices are used as a minimally invasive option for gynecological surgeries such as hysterectomies and myomectomies. The tools were FDA approved in 1991, and then sold across the nation in 1993. They work much like a drill. They have a handle and long tube on the front which can be inserted into the lower abdomen through a small incision. Once inside, cutting jaws are added to the tube, and these blades spin to slice apart uterine tissue and uterine fibroid tissue. They shred the tissue into small pieces which can later be removed through the hollow tube and out of the patient’s body.

Current plaintiffs allege, however, that as the tool shreds fibroid tissue, it can uncover encapsulated and hidden cancer cells, and then spread those cells throughout the body. This accelerates the cancer and can significantly impair the life expectancy of the patient.

After allegations indicating that the tool could spread cancer continued to add up, the United States Food and Drug Administration suddenly announced that they had come to the conclusion that laparoscopic power morcellators should no longer be used during women’s gynecological surgeries involving uterine fibroids. They estimated that approximately 1 in every 350 women who undergo these procedures may have previously undetected cancer cells which could be spread by the tool.

Shortly after the FDA’s announcement, laparoscopic power morcellator manufacturer Ethicon, (a subdivision of Johnson & Johnson), ceased all production of their morcellators and recalled those currently on the market. At this time, they are just one of many power morcellator manufacturers to have made this decision.

Details found within the lawsuits of these three specific Philadelphia women state that each underwent power morcellation in order to remove painful uterine fibroids. Unfortunately, each woman was also informed post-surgery that they now had uterine cancer. These plaintiffs join with many others in the U.S. who also allege that laparoscopic power morcellation on uterine fibroids disseminated their cancer and helped to spread it to other areas of the body. Several of the plaintiffs involved in this litigation have passed away due to terminal cancer after filing suit. It is expected that lawsuits concerning power morcellation and cancer will continue to add up.

The attorneys at Tracey & Fox are doing their part to ensure that any woman who has undergone laparoscopic power morcellation and has subsequently been diagnosed with cancer is able to explore her legal rights. These women may be entitled to substantial compensation. Tracey & Fox is currently offering free legal consultations to those affected.

For additional information regarding power morcellators, or to ask questions, please contact 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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