OBGYN.net Is Closely Monitoring the Future of Power Morcellation

NORWALK, Conn., Aug. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- UBM Medica US announces that OBGYN.net, the leading online community for women's health professionals, continues its close coverage of how the health care community is responding to the identified risks of power morcellation and how these decisions will impact Ob/Gyns and their patients.

Power morcellation allows gynecologists to divide larger tissues and structures and remove them through laparoscopic ports, eliminating the need for an open abdominal surgery. In gynecology, morcellators are most often used in myomectomies to remove uterine fibroids and in hysterectomies to remove the uterus. The risk of morcellation is that if an unknown cancer is present in the tissue that's being divided, the cancer can spread throughout the body instead of remaining contained. The FDA, device manufacturers, insurers, hospitals, and professional societies have all responded to this risk.

Some recent highlights of coverage on OBGYN.net as it relates to power morcellation includes:

• Open Hysterectomies More Deadly Than Power Morcellation, Says AAGL: The American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) has taken the position that eradicating morcellators is riskier to patients than using them and that these minimally invasive surgical devices should not be abandoned.
• Health Insurer to Stop Covering Morcellation: A large insurance company has decided to no longer cover laparoscopic power morcellation. Its reasoning: the risk-benefit profile is underwhelming and they have determined that it's in the best interest of its members to no longer cover the practice. However, surgeons and patients alike may disagree.
• J&J's Ethicon Initiates Worldwide Withdrawal of Morcellators: The morcellation controversy heats up as physicians all over the world who use Ethicon power morcellators are being asked to return the medical devices. This decision comes after the FDA has recommended that the use of these devices be suspended until the risk of inadvertent spread of an unknown cancer in women with fibroids is further reviewed.

OBGYN.net is committed to providing its audience of gynecologists, obstetricians, and other women's health care providers timely and relevant information that will impact clinical practice and patient care.

About UBM Medica US
Addressing today's healthcare information needs, UBM Medica US, delivers strategic, integrated communications solutions and comprehensive reach -- online, in print, via custom programs and live events. Improving the effectiveness of healthcare through information and education, UBM Medica US provides unbiased clinical, practical, and business information for physicians, providers and payers resulting in improved quality of care for patients around the world. Through journals, magazines, online communities, live and digital events, and other valuable resources, UBM Medica US also delivers comprehensive communication solutions for the pharmaceutical and related industries. Online communities include CancerNetwork.com, ConsultantLive.com, DiagnosticImaging.com, RheumatologyNetwork.com, OBGYN.net, PhysiciansPractice.com, PsychiatricTimes.com and SearchMedica.com. UBM Medica US is part of UBM Connect which, through a range of aligned interactive environments, both physical and digital – increases business effectiveness for both customers and audiences through meaningful experiences, knowledge and connections.  Headquartered in New York, UBM Connect brings together UBM's healthcare business, UBM Medica US; UBM Canon's advanced design and manufacturing event, online and print brands; UBM Connect New York's catering, cruise shipping, contact-center management, and fine, specialty and custom chemical communities; and UBM Mexico's concrete, construction and hospitality services shows.  For more information, visit www.UBMMedicaUS.com.

About UBM plc
UBM plc is a global events-led marketing services and communications company.  We help businesses do business, bringing the world's buyers and sellers together at events and online, as well as producing and distributing news and specialist content.  Our 5,500 staff in more than 30 countries are organized into expert teams which serve commercial and professional communities, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently.

For more information, go to www.ubm.com; follow us on Twitter at @UBM_plc to get the latest UBM corporate news.

Media contact:
Jason J. Golden
Content Marketing Manager
203-523-7040
[email protected]

SOURCE UBM Medica US