Hysterectomy: Types of Surgical Incisions
Your surgeon will recommend one or more types of hysterectomy (you may or may not have a choice, depending on your condition). An abdominal hysterectomy requires a larger incision. A vaginal or laparoscopic hysterectomy uses small incisions.
Abdominal hysterectomy. Two types of surgical incisions are used for an abdominal hysterectomy.
Vaginal hysterectomy. During a vaginal hysterectomy, the incisions to remove the uterus are made on the inside of the vagina.
Laparoscopic hysterectomy. To allow insertion of a small viewing instrument (laparoscope) and surgical instruments, small incisions are made in the abdomen.
The vaginal and laparoscopic techniques are sometimes combined.
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