title: Bits and pieces: the ethics of uterine morcellation.
abstract: Intensive media and policy attention has been focused on the ongoing controversy surrounding uterine morcellation in gynecologic surgery. What has been missing from this impassioned discourse is an objective analysis of the ethical implications of uterine power morcellation in gynecologic surgery. This article discusses competing ethical duties of physicians, industry, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the media to develop a more robust and nuanced understanding of informed consent for the use of morcellation in benign gynecologic surgery. Ultimately, as physicians, we must remain steadfast in our dedication to the use of evolving technologies to better patient health in a safe and ethical manner that is well-studied, informed, and implemented with appropriate training and precautions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MetroHealth Medical Center, and Department of Bioethics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio; and Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, and Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Kavita Shah
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Arora
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spillman
authors.forename: Magdy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Milad
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000941:ethics* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000941:ethics* / Q000295:instrumentation; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000941:ethics* / Q000295:instrumentation; D009366:Neoplasm Seeding