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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Abdominal hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that removes your uterus through an incision in your lower abdomen. Your uterus — or womb — is where a baby grows if you're pregnant. Sometimes a hysterectomy includes removal of one or both ovaries and fallopian tubes. Hysterectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures among women.
Hysterectomy can also be performed through an incision in the vagina (vaginal hysterectomy) or by a laparoscopic or robotic surgical approach — which uses laparoscopic instruments passed through small abdominal incisions. Abdominal hysterectomy may be recommended over other surgical approaches if you have a large uterus or if your doctor wants to check other pelvic organs for signs of disease.
- Stovall TG, et al. Abdominal hysterectomy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 5, 2010.
- Schorge JO, et al. Surgeries for benign gynecologic conditions. In: Schorge JO, et al. Williams Gynecology. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3166442. Accessed Feb. 12, 2010.
- Wieslander CK, et al. Therapeutic gynecologic procedures. In: DeCherney AH, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment Obstetrics & Gynecology. 10th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=2391387. Accessed Feb. 12, 2010.
- Hysterectomy. American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp008.cfm. Accessed Feb. 12, 2010.
- Hysterectomy: Frequently asked questions. National Women's Health Information Center. http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/hysterectomy.cfm. Accessed Feb. 12, 2010.
- About hysterectomy. American College of Surgeons. http://www.facs.org/public_info/operation/hysterectomy.pdf. Accessed Feb. 12, 2010.
- Baggish MS. Total and subtotal abdominal hysterectomy. Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology. 2005;19:333.
- Rannestad T. Hysterectomy: Effects on quality of life and psychological aspects. Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology. 2005;19:419.
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