An abdominal hysterectomy is an open surgery. This is the most common approach to hysterectomy, accounting for about 65% of all procedures.
To perform an abdominal hysterectomy, a surgeon makes a 5- to 7-inch incision, either up-and-down or side-to-side across the belly. The surgeon then removes the uterus through this incision.
Following an abdominal hysterectomy, a woman will usually spend 2-3 days in the hospital. There is also a visible scar at the location of the incision.