Study objective: To identify and summarize all electric morcellator-related injuries published in the medical literature.
Design: Systematic review (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).
Setting: Databases.
Subjects: Articles on morcellator-related injuries published from 1992 through February 2002, plus additional sources of information.
Intervention: Search of MEDLINE and referencing of the FDA device report database.
Measurements and main results: We were unable to locate any references to morcellator-related visceral injuries in the medical literature. Of 17 cases identified from the FDA database, 3 were excluded based on the trivial nature of the event (e.g., instrument did not function). The remaining 14 visceral injuries were to small and large bowel (11), kidney (2), pancreas (1), and major vascular structures (3). Identification of the complication was immediate in 10 patients, but was not until 4 days postoperatively in 1 woman. Three patients died. No device manufacturer or surgical specialty was responsible for a preponderance of the injuries.
Conclusion: These potentially fatal complications are unreported in the medical literature.