Karl Storz Endoscopy-America Inc. is facing a new power morcellator lawsuit from a New Jersey woman for damages she suffered as a result of the device used during her laparoscopic hysterectomy.

In 2008, 34-year old plaintiff Sophia E. underwent a laparoscopic hysterectomy procedure to treat uterine fibroids.

Following the laparoscopic power morcellation, Sophia alleges she developed serious fibroid complications as a result of the company’s power morcellator used during her hysterectomy.

Specifically, Sophia claims that Storz’s Rotocut Power Morcellator caused her to develop parasitic myomas, an unusual growth pattern of leiomyomas (fibroids).  She contends that as a result of the use of the Rotocut Power Morcellator, fibroid tissues were spread and seeded throughout her abdominal cavity and pelvic region.

This made it necessary for Sophia to undergo two additional surgeries to remove the leiomyomas.

Sophia will most likely need additional surgery to correct the continuous fibroid problems, allegedly caused by her initial March 2008 hysterectomy.

In the power morcellator lawsuit, Sophia states she is worried that any additional surgery will leave scarring or permanent disfigurement.

Overview of Power Morcellator Complications

Laparoscopic power morcellation is highly preferable among women who are undergoing hysterectomy or other similar surgical procedures to remove uterine fibroids, due to the accuracy and minimally invasive nature of these devices.

It is currently estimated 650,000 women will undergo a surgical hysterectomy or myomectomy to to remove uterine fibroids per year, with many of them opting for laparoscopic power morcellation.

Morcellation is the procedure of cutting up tissue into smaller pieces, which is often used in laparoscopic surgeries for easy removal of uterine fibroids. A small incision is made in the abdomen, from which the uterine fibroid fragments are vacuumed through a small tube.

However, the fibroid debris can potentially spread to other parts of the abdomen or pelvis, allowing for the potential of cancer development or other unwanted uterine fibroid growths.

This possibility has become a well known complication associated with power morcellator procedures, eventually earning the attention of the FDA.

The agency released a public warning against power morcellator surgery on April 17, 2014, stating power morcellation could potentially result in leiomyosarcoma.

There is currently no diagnostic method available to determine if a woman has uterine sarcoma before their power morcellator surgery, resulting in many women diagnosed soon after their procedures.

Even though surgical bags can be used to catch the debris, many manufacturing companies opt not to use them or warn surgeons of the potential post surgery complications.

Sophia points out if the surgical bag had been available during her laparoscopic power morcellation, then the uterine fibroid debris would not have spread.

Sophia further alleges the company gave her no warnings or indications of uterine fibroid debris, and that she would not have used the power morcellator if she had known.

She and her husband are seeking damages for loss of consortium, medical expenses, and pain and suffering.

The Power Morcellator Lawsuit is Case No. 2:16-cv-02110, in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey.