One of the more common medical decisions that women with uterine fibroids may find themselves facing after they are done having children or approaching menopause is whether to undergo a hysterectomy, which is the surgical removal of the uterus.

While gynecologists have been recommending this procedure for quite some time, it’s nevertheless understandable how women might experience some reservations given the risks associated with undergoing such a major procedure.

It’s important to understand, however, that these reservations about undergoing a hysterectomy no longer revolve solely around more traditional concerns like scarring, recovery time and infection risk, but now include whether the procedure will be performed using a surgical instrument known as a power morcellator.

As we’ve discussed on our blog before, power morcellators are outfitted with a series of small blades that cut uterine tissue into smaller segments that can be removed laparoscopically. While the use of power morcellators in hysterectomies and or myomectomies — removal of uterine fibroids — has been performed for several decades, the procedure has recently been linked to an elevated cancer risk.

As shocking as this has proven to be, equally shocking is the fact that recent reports have also found that many physicians and manufacturers of the devices were aware of this elevated cancer risk, yet failed to share this information with prospective patients, many of whom are now facing an uncertain future.

At Richards & Richards LLP, we understand how frightening this reality can be and are dedicated to helping those who believe they were victimized by failures to disclose the risks associated with power morcellation.

Because one of our founding attorneys was previously a nurse practitioner, our firm is uniquely positioned to not only build a strong case designed to secure the justice you deserve, but also to answer many of your medical inquiries or direct you to the appropriate resources.

To learn more about how we can help, please visit our website.