Gynecologists Continuing To Use Power Morcellators After FDA Ban

In April, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned that a popular tool involved in gynecological procedures can spread undetected cancer. However, many gynecologists are continuing to use the devices, claiming that they believe the risks of unknown cancer are overblown, and that the federal government should not interfere with patient treatment.

The device is called a power morcellator, and it is used to remove common benign uterine growths, called fibroids, in a procedure that is minimally invasive. The tool slices tissue into fragments that can be removed through small incisions. However, the procedure can spread bits of tissue throughout the body. If the patient has a previously undiagnosed cancer, and a power morcellator is used, it can actually spread those cancerous cells to other parts of the body.

After the FDA issued the warning about the device in April, Johnson & Johnson pulled its power morcellator from the market, and many hospitals quit using the tool. Some insurers quit insuring procedures that used the tool. However, many doctors really like the tool and think that it can provide the best patient care, despite the risks. Those doctors are pushing back against the FDA recommendations and are ignoring the warnings.

When the FDA makes a recommendation and doctors ignore it, the doctor may be taking an unnecessary risk with your health. The FDA makes recommendations for a reason. If a doctor chooses to ignore it and you are later harmed as a result, you may choose to sue your doctor for medical malpractice. Medical malpractice occurs when you have been harmed because of a doctor’s negligent treatment.