valvulotomy
/ˌvælvjəˈlɑtəmi/
noun
- A surgical operation to cut or repair a valve, especially a heart valve, to improve its function.
- The surgeon performed a valvulotomy to open the narrowed mitral valve.
- Valvulotomy is often recommended when medication alone cannot fix a stiff heart valve.
- After the valvulotomy, the patient's breathing improved significantly.