hysterotomy

Hysterotomy is a surgical procedure involving an incision into the uterus, typically performed through the abdomen. It is also the term used for procedures that include such an incision, like a cesarean section.1

While a hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus, a hysterotomy is an incision into the uterus. This procedure can be necessary in cases of uterine rupture, where immediate surgery is required to remove the fetus and control bleeding. In such critical situations, a hysterectomy is often performed afterward due to the difficulty in controlling bleeding and the risk of future rupture.23