Hysterectomy device warning prompts lawsuits

While most women will develop uterine fibroids at some point in their lives, they typically don't cause problems. When a woman has laparoscopic surgery to remove them, she certainly doesn’t expect any complications. Same for when a woman goes into the hospital for a hysterectomy.

But the Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning to healthcare professionals against using laparoscopic power morcellation when performing these types of surgeries because of a potential risk of spreading undetected cancer tissues beyond the uterus.

According to data analyzed by the FDA, approximately one in 350 women who have a hysterectomy or a myomectomy for fibroids have an unsuspected type of uterine cancer known as sarcoma.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hysterectomy is the second most frequently performed surgical procedure for U.S. women, so the potential for women who may fall victim to laparoscopic power morcellation surgery is quite overwhelming.

Laparoscopic power morcellation surgery uses a device that divides the uterine tissue into smaller fragments or pieces so it can be removed through a small incision.

One of the makers of the device, Johnson and Johnson, recently suspended worldwide sales of the tool after the FDA issued the safety advisory.

If you or a loved one has suffered personal damages following this type of surgery, simply click the link at the bottom of the page and your complaint will be sent to a lawyer who may evaluate your claim at no cost or obligation.