The power morcellator, a tool used to cut unwanted tissue during surgery, has been linked in recent research with several serious conditions, including an increased ovarian cancer risk.

According to a study published in Obstet Gynecol, entitled “Introcorporeal Electromechanical Tissue Morcellation: A Critical Review and Recommendations for Clinical Practice,” there have been many and various reported injuries linked with power morcellator use.

Power Morcellator Risks

Power morcellation is a process by which unwanted tissue is cut and shred in the body cavity, in order that it may be removed in smaller, more manageable pieces.

In gynecological procedures, power morcellators are medical devices that surgeons use to break up uterine fibroids. Many surgeons choose to use a power morcellator because of the ability to make very small incisions, meaning that it is a less invasive procedure.

Power morcellation has been a method of tissue removal used by surgeons across the U.S. since 1991, when it was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, reports of power morcellation complications associated with gynecological surgeries such as hysterectomies or myomectomies have been increasing in recent years.

During a myomectomy, a power morcellator cuts up uterine fibroids for removal. If the uterus or uterine fibroids contain some form of uterine cancer, the power morcellator, in cutting tissue into tiny pieces, can actually spread cancer cells throughout the body.

Many women develop these kinds of fibroids, but usually they do not cause symptoms, and so in most cases are safe. For other women, these fibroids can cause prolonged menstrual bleeding, as well as pelvic pain and other unwanted symptoms, and need to be removed.

Power Morcellator Ovarian Cancer

According to the FDA, women who undergo power morcellator procedures may have undetected uterine or ovarian cancer that can spread to other parts of the body, taking root and becoming a potentially life-threatening cancer.

The Obstet Gynecol study shows similar in that, along with the spread of tissue fragments such as leiomyomas, splenic, and ovarian tissues, power morcellator tools have also been associated with the spread of uterine and ovarian cancer.

The study ultimately concludes that, since there are proven safe and comparably effective methods of tissue removal other than power morcellation, morcellation itself should no longer be used.

This recommendation stems from the fact that, according to the study, “Patient safety is a priority with balanced goals of maximizing benefits and minimizing harm.” Using power morcellation when safe and effective alternatives are available goes against this basic medical principle.

Power Morcellator Lawsuits

A growing number of women have begun filing power morcellator lawsuits, alleging cancer diagnosis after a surgery that involved power morcellation. These plaintiffs say that had they been adequately warned about the potential dangers of power morcellation they would not have agreed to the procedure.

If you or someone you know has undergone a surgery where a doctor has used a power morcellator, and have since contracted cancer, you may be able to file a morcellator cancer lawsuit.