Morcellators have been widely used by surgeons as a minimally invasive method of performing laparoscopic and myomectomy procedures. Women who suffer from painful uterine fibroids often undergo one of these procedures to remove them. Morcellators are designed to shred these fibroids, leaving only a small scar and requiring in a shorter recovery period than other traditional surgical methods. The problem, however, is that pieces of shredded tissue may be left behind in the uterus. If any of the tissue is cancerous, it may have a chance to spread to other areas of the body, worsening the condition and the patient’s long-term prognosis.
So far, it has been determined that one in every 350 women have developed unsuspected cancer in the pelvic and abdominal areas after undergoing a procedure where a morcellator was used. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has responded by issuing a black box warning for these devices in 2014, saying, “The FDA discourages the use of laparoscopic power morcellation during hysterectomy or myomectomy for uterine fibroids.”
Although Johnson & Johnson, one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of morcellators, has pulled their product from the market, there are still manufacturers who continue to sell them, and many doctors continue to use them despite the warning. The Houston personal injury attorneys at Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs advise women who are in need of uterine fibroid removal surgery to talk to their doctors to determine whether they plan on using a morcellator in the procedure.
If you have already had the procedure and have developed cancer as a result, we urge you not to delay in getting in touch with an attorney from our firm. You could be entitled to significant financial compensation for your medical care, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. You have the right to hold the manufacturer of the product, and possibly your doctor, responsible for making and using a product that is known to be dangerous.
For more information on your rights and legal options, as well as to find out what your case might potentially be worth, please call us today at (713) 751-0025 for an initial case evaluation.
