I thought that this is an awesome follow-up. About a month ago I wrote up a post about the dangers of using power morcellation as an option for hysterectomies and included the link to an online petition to stop the procedure from being recommended. The FDA is actually agreeing and is officially discouraging use of the procedure in these cases, as well as in the cases of fibroid surgeries.
Power morcellation is a technique that allows doctors to literally pulverize organs and fibers into tiny pieces to be removed through tiny incisions. The effect is a minimally invasive procedure for the patient, but it can result in the spread of cancer cells at the same time. Although cancer is screened for and doctors try rule it out ahead of time, 1 in every 350 cases the cancer is not detected and allowed to spread through the entire abdomen due to the morcellation process.
From William Maisel, the deputy director for Science and chief scientist for the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological health, “Patients should know that the FDA is discouraging the use of laparoscopic power morcellation for hysterectomy or (fibroid removal surgery), and they should discuss the risks and benefits of the available treatment options with their health care professionals."
LIFamilies
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