FDA Panel Reinforces Dangers of Uterine Morcellation, Recommends Informed Consent

On July 11, 2014, a panel of experts convened by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concluded that laparoscopic power morcellators cannot be used for removing uterine fibroids without the risk of spreading undetected cancers to other parts of the body, states a July 12, 2014, Modern Healthcare article. According to the article, the agency asked its obstetrics and gynecology experts to weigh in on potential methods for minimizing the risk of this technique, including the use of plastic specimen bags to catch bits of tissue; however, the panelists said that this and other methods of containing removed material are based on intuition and that no evidence exists supporting their efficacy.