Hospital Chain Bans the Use of Morcellators

In light of the revised guidance by the FDA, HCA Holdings, Inc., which operates 280 hospitals and surgery centers in the U.S. and England, has banned the use of morcellators  The hospital chain made the announcement on the heels of the FDA’s revised guidance with regard to the risks associated in using power morcellators and the requirement that the devices carry a “black box” warning that informs health care providers and patients that, “Uterine tissue may contain unsuspected cancer. The use of laparoscopic power morcellators during fibroid surgery may spread cancer and decrease the long-term survival of patients.”