LAUSR

Power morcellation in the context of laparoscopic surgery enables specialists to carry out minimally invasive procedures such as hysterectomies and myomectomies by cutting specimens into smaller pieces using a rotating blade and removing pieces through a laparoscope. Unexpected uterine sarcoma treated by surgery involving tumor disruption could be associated with poor prognosis. The current study aims to shed light on power morcellation from a medicolegal perspective: the procedure has resulted in adverse outcomes as well as litigation and compensation for plaintiffs published in various journals cited in PubMed-Medline, Cochrane Library, Embase, GyneWeb. Considering claims following the US Food and Drug Administration warnings on morcellation, the current study broadens the scope of research, including search engines, legal databases, and court filings (DeJure, Lexis Nexis, Justia, Superior Court of New Jersey, United States District Court of Minnesota) between 1995 and 2019. Legal records show that courts determine professional responsibility regarding complications, making it essential to document adherence to safety protocols and specific guidelines, when available. Sound medical practice and clearly stated institute best practices result in better patient outcomes and are important when unfavorable clinical outcomes occur; adverse legal decisions can be avoided if there are grounds to prove professional conformity with specific guidelines and the unpredictability of an event.