Summary
This paper provides advice for healthcare professionals obtaining consent from women undergoing morcellation for myomectomy or hysterectomy. After discussion with the woman, the consent form should be carefully edited under the heading ‘Name of proposed procedure or course of treatment’ to accurately describe the exact procedure to be performed.
The aim of this advice is to ensure that all women are given consistent and adequate information for consent. It is intended for use together with dedicated patient information. At discharge, women should be provided with clear direction to enable them to obtain help if there are unforeseen problems after discharge.
This Consent Advice and the accompanying patient information were initially developed by the Morcellation Task and Finish Group, details for which are available on request. The minor updates to this edition of the document were developed by the Patient Safety Committee.
RCOG Consent Advice should be used as part of the process outlined on the main consent page. The form should be used to help record the woman’s understanding of the implications of the final agreed procedure and should be used alongside the accompanying RCOG patient information on morcellation for myomectomy or hysterectomy.
COVID disclaimer: This Consent Advice was developed prior to the emergence of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Update June 2024: Amendments have been made to bring this advice in line with the revised recommendations for postmenopausal women and those over 50 years of age within the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Interventional procedures guidance [IPG703] Laparoscopic removal of uterine fibroids with power morcellation, which was published in August 2021.
Version history
This is a minor update to the first edition of this guidance.
Developer declaration of interests
Available on request.