A hysterectomy involves the surgical removal of the uterus and may also include the removal of nearby structures such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes. To perform this procedure, the surgeon typically opens the abdominal cavity.
There are different approaches to a hysterectomy; the most common is the abdominal approach, where the surgeon makes an incision in the lower abdomen. This allows direct access to the uterus and the reproductive organs. Alternatively, a hysterectomy can be performed vaginally, where the uterus is removed through the vaginal canal, but this does not involve opening the abdominal cavity.
In some cases, a laparoscopic approach may be used, which is minimally invasive and involves small incisions and the use of a camera. However, regardless of the technique, the abdominal cavity is entered to remove the uterus in an abdominal hysterectomy.