Hysterotomy

A hysterotomy is a surgical incision made into the uterus, used in several procedures including second-trimester termination of pregnancy, delivery of the fetus during caesarean section, fetal surgery to correct birth defects, and, rarely, resuscitative removal of the fetus during maternal cardiac arrest. Several incision types are used, including midline vertical and low transverse incisions, sometimes extended in a T, J, or U shape when more space is needed; possible complications include blood loss, wound infection, fertility problems, premature labor, and postoperative pain, along with a rare risk of scar ectopic pregnancy in a later pregnancy. The incision is typically closed with sutures, most often in two layers.