… an unsuspected type of uterine cancer called uterine sarcoma. If laparoscopic power morcellation is performed in these women, there is a risk that the procedure will spread the cancerous tissue within the abdomen and pelvis, significantly worsening the patient’s likelihood of long-term survival.
Now, a study out of the University of Michigan shows that post-operative complications in hysterectomies grew significantly following that FDA alert. Hospital readmissions went up by a quarter and there was a 27 percent jump in major surgical issues, excluding blood transfusions, following hysterectomies. At the same time, the number of morcellation hysterectomies decreased by 4.1 percent and vaginal and abdominal hysterectomies increased by 1.7 and 2.4 percent, respectively. (It’s interesting to note that the decrease in morcellation was among all women undergoing hysterectomies, despite the FDA advising against using the procedure specifically on patients with fibroids.)