SILVER SPRING, MD. – Without power morcellation, the number of hysterectomies performed using an open approach would dramatically increase – and the combined mortality from laparoscopic hysterectomy and potential dissemination of leiomyosarcoma would be less than that of open hysterectomy, according to testimony given July 11 at a Food and Drug Administration expert panel meeting.
Dr. Jubilee Brown, director of gynecologic oncology at the Woman's Hospital of Texas, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, testified at the meeting on behalf of the AAGL, an association that promotes minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. She presented results of a decision analysis suggesting that if all U.S. cases were converted to open hysterectomy from laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH) with morcellation of fibroids, 17 more women each year would die from the open procedure than from the combination LH and morcellation.
"Improve – but do not abandon – power morcellation," Dr. Brown told the FDA Obstetrics and Gynecology Devices Advisory Committee. She discussed her testimony during this video interview.
Dr. Brown said she had no relevant financial conflicts of interest.
