Abdominal hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that is performed on your uterus through an incision in the lower abdomen. The uterus is where your baby grows and develops. A partial hysterectomy removes only the uterus, and a total hysterectomy removes the uterus and cervix. An abdominal hysterectomy sometimes involves removing one or both ovaries and fallopian tubes, a process called a complete hysterectomy with Salpingo-oophorectomy. Hysterectomy can also be performed through an incision in the vagina (vaginal hysterectomy) or using a laparoscopy or through a robotic procedure in which a long, thin instrument is passed through a small abdominal incision. Abdominal hysterectomy may be preferred to other hysterectomies if your uterus is large or your doctor wants to examine other pelvic organs for signs of disease.
