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Role and Risks of Morcellation Associated with Laparoscopic Management of Myomas

  • Management of Uterine Fibroid (I Meinhold-Heerlein, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Since its introduction, morcellation has paved the way for laparoscopic management of myomas. In the hands of an experienced surgeon, it has enabled even bulky tumours to be removed using a minimally invasive approach, affording patients the advantages of laparoscopic surgery. Initial reports on intraoperative safety of morcellation appeared promising and its introduction subsequently gained momentum. Despite two decades passing since the initial introduction of mechanical morcellation, there are still significant gaps in our knowledge of the longer term outcomes and complications. Recently, the technique has come under scrutiny as cases of iatrogenic spread of uterine tissue secondary to morcellation have been reported. Even more concerning is the inadvertent spread of unsuspected malignancy, which led the FDA to articulate a safety communication and discourage the use of uterine morcellation. This article aims to summarise current evidence for the roles and risks of morcellation in the laparoscopic management of myomas.

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Conflict of Interest

Krystyna Czarkowski, N. Chetty, E. Berkes, and Andreas Hackethal declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Mater Health Service, Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia

    Krystyna Czarkowski & N. Chetty

  2. Campus Giessen, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University of Giessen and Marburg, Klinikstrasse 33, 35392, Giessen, Germany

    E. Berkes

  3. Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Clinic Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 4, 97080, Würzburg, Germany

    A. Hackethal

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  1. Krystyna Czarkowski
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  2. N. Chetty
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  3. E. Berkes
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  4. A. Hackethal
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Correspondence to A. Hackethal.

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Czarkowski, K., Chetty, N., Berkes, E. et al. Role and Risks of Morcellation Associated with Laparoscopic Management of Myomas. Curr Obstet Gynecol Rep 3, 201–206 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13669-014-0084-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13669-014-0084-9

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