An apparatus and procedure for defining the area for a thermo-electric knife to perform a bloodless intrastromal abdominal hysterectomy procedure while minimizing damage to the pericervical ring. The apparatus is configured to be inserted into the center cavity of the cervix and uterus to engage the uterine wall. The apparatus comprises an elongate member having a first end configured to extend into the center cavity of the uterus and cervix, and a thermo-electric knife guide plate secured concentrically to the elongate member proximal to the second end of the member to define the area for dissection of connective tissue between the cervix and the pericervical ring by a thermo-electric knife.
