A new power morcellator lawsuit has joined the growing pile of cases involving women who allege uterine cancer was spread by the devices.

This morcellation lawsuit was filed against a Philadelphia power morcellator manufacturer by a woman who, like most plaintiffs, had an undiagnosed uterine sarcoma that was not discovered until being ruptured by the power morcellator. The lawsuit says the morcellator was being used in the surgery to remove potentially benign tumors.

However, using the medical device, the PKS PlasmaSORD Bipolar Morcellator, allegedly caused the cancer cells to spread throughout her body. The woman had undergone a power morcellator surgical procedure in 2011, and was told it was a less invasive method to remove the cysts.

The lawsuit alleges that manufacturing company, Gyrus Acmi Lp., failed to mention this possible complication.

Overview of Power Morcellator Allegations

Over the years, power morcellators had become increasingly popular due to the devices being less invasive than traditional  surgery. These devices allow patients to go through less hospital recovery time, and often saves money on medical bills.

This is because power morcellators are able to use a precise, delicate incision in the abdominal surgical site, which is often much larger in traditional surgery. Once the incision is made, power morcellators are inserted through the surgical site, where the device slices up any abnormal tissue, such as uterine fibroids.

Attached to power morcellators are rotating blades, which cut up the tissue to be more easily extracted. The problem has been that the devices have been reportedly causing numerous women to suddenly develop cancer by spreading undiscovered uterine sarcoma.

There is no diagnostic method to detect uterine sarcoma before the surgery, putting many women at risk. Despite the risks, power morcellator manufacturing companies allegedly failed to disclose this possibility to patients or doctors.