Total Abdominal Hysterectomy Incisions

Total abdominal hysterectomy refers to the complete removal of the uterus. The surgical site is accessed via an incision on the abdominal wall. The fallopian tubes (oviducts), ovaries, and adjacent structures are not included with the removal. The type of incision for abdominal access of current surgical use are: infraumbilical vertical median incision, paramedian vertical incision, or the Pfannensteil incision. The traditional infraumbilical vertical median incision, is an vertical incision running below the umbilicus towards and near the margin of pubic hair. The main advantages of this technique are: it has the least time needed to perform the procedure and it provides the most convenient access to the surgical site but offers lesser aesthetic value when the skin incision heals. The Pfanensteil incision is a slightly curved incision along the top margin of the pubic hair line. It is sometimes referred as, the "bikini cut." Although this technique is cumbersome for the surgeon due to limitations in accessing the surgical site, this is preferred by most patients because of faster healing and least formation of a incision scar.