A couple years ago the FDA, realizing the dangers of laparoscopic power morcellation when used for removing the uterus (hysterectomy) or uterine fibroids (myomectomy), recommended that doctors quit using this type of technology. The issue is that women may have undetected cancerous tissues within the affected anatomy and taking a morcellator to them can spread the cancer intraperitoneally. Now a new system from Olympus is aiming to bring back laparoscopic power morcellation while preventing the spread of any cancer that may be present.
Cleared by the FDA back in April and just unveiled at the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida, the Olympus Contained Tissue Extraction System uses a device called PneumoLiner to isolate the target being morcellated from other nearby tissue. A bag is used to contain the broken up material while providing the physician the visual field of view necessary to see what’s being worked on.
The PneumoLiner is made of a tough material that withstands forces greater than those used during power morcellation and the membrane does not allow any cells or liquids to pass through.
Since power morcellation continues to be a danger, the system is contraindicated for women with known or suspected cancerous lesions and shouldn’t be utilized for uterine tissue removal on those peri- or post-menopausal, or those for whom vaginal en bloc tissue removal or mini-laparotomy would be appropriate.
Here’s a link to a video showing how the PneumoLiner is used…
Via: Olympus…