Morcellator Trial Settled

One of the first suits to be filed on behalf of women who were diagnosed with cancer after undergoing power morcellation during fibroid removal surgeries recently has settled for an undisclosed amount. The Wall Street Journal  reported the landmark settlement of the case filed against Lina Medical ApS by Scott Burkhart of Pennsylvania, whose wife Donna passed away following her hysterectomy from undetected cancer allegedly spread by a Lina-manufactured morcellator. The 53-year old, who died in February 2013, had the surgery just 11 months prior to her death.

Power morcellators are used to grind up and remove uterine fibroids through a small incision in the abdomen, but have been subject to much scrutiny in the past year as the devices have been linked to the spread of aggressive, hidden uterine cancer. In April 2014, the FDA issued a safety communication about the tool’s dangers, yet despite the “black box” warning the device now carries, some hospitals continue to employ the device to perform hysterectomies and myomectomies.