Two weeks ago, I wrote a post about on the current power morcellator debate in women’s healthcare as it relates to myomectomies and hysterectomies.
Well, this is NOT going away any time soon. In fact, it seems the research and debate are really just getting started.
The insurance company Highmark ( a part of the Blue Cross/Blue Shield) announced Saturday that it will no longer cover laprocsopic uterine procedures that use power morcellators. Highmark is the first, and right now the only insurer to do this.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), the largest hospital network in Western Pennsylvania, has suspended the use of power morcellators.
And what would a controversial medical device or procedure be without a class action law suit?!
Yup. On my way to work this morning, I heard the “Have you or a family member been diagnosed with cancer or other serious medical complications after a power morcellator procedure for removal of uterine fibroids?! If so, call the law offices of ….” (if you actually want to learn more about this gathering of information for the suit, click here)
I feel like there should have been better research and statistics on the instances of uterine cancers upstaging after any uterine surgery years ago. But, again, fibroid and other uterine disorder research seems to be low on the medical research totem pole. If there were better research and follow up done years ago, and a continuing effort made to understand fibroids, instead of just snatching out uteruses (Uteri? what is the plural of uterus?), some of the controversy may have been prevented. Lives may hev been saved. Why wasn’t some sort of pre screen for cancer (besides an MRI) figured out and made a standard part of pre op testing for myomectomies and hysterectomies of any type? Especially if it is known that MRIs are not effective in finding Uterine Leiomyosarcoma (LMS).
As a woman, the lack of research and information makes me think what MJ said was right….they don’t really care about us (or our uteri).
Maybe Mama 
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