What is "valvulotomy"

n. A valvotomy: an incision to relieve stenosis of a valve, especially in the heart

n. incision into a stenosed cardiac valve to relieve the obstruction [syn: valvotomy]

Commissurotomy of cardiac valves is called valvulotomy or valvotomy, and consists of making one or more incisions at the edges of the commissure formed between two or three valves, in order to relieve constriction such as occurs in valvular stenosis, especially mitral valve stenosis.