Surgical cytoreduction for disseminated benign disease after open power uterine morcellation

Uterine morcellation is a technique used in gynecologic surgery to facilitate a laparoscopic approach to the removal of an enlarged uterus. The safety of this technique has been a source of recent debate, as uterine morcellation can result in the intraperitoneal dissemination of undiagnosed uterine malignancies.

We report on three women who previously underwent minimally invasive hysterectomy and open power morcellation for benign disease, who subsequently presented with peritoneal implants highly suspicious for malignancy. Each woman required a laparotomy and extensive, multiorgan resection to clear the disease. Benign pathology was diagnosed in all cases.

Even in the setting of benign conditions, open power morcellation of the uterus may be associated with clinically significant dissemination of uterine disease.