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By Amy Orciari Herman
Johnson & Johnson is halting sales of its power morcellators given concerns about the potential spread of undetected uterine cancer, the Wall Street Journal reports. The devices are used laparoscopically to cut uterine fibroids into smaller pieces for easier removal — a procedure that can spread undetected uterine sarcoma into the abdomen and pelvis, the FDA recently warned.
The company said the move affects all of its morcellators, sold under the names "Gynecare Morcellex," "Morcellex Sigma," and "Gynecare X-Tract." And although sales are being halted, products already sold aren't being recalled. Accordingly, doctors may continue using those in inventory.
The FDA is planning an advisory committee meeting to examine the safety and overall role of power morcellators in uterine surgery.
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LINK(S):
Wall Street Journal story (Subscription required)
Background: Physician's First Watch coverage of hospitals suspending morcellator use following FDA warning (Free)