Professional
Technical
IVT
commissurotomy
Pronunciation: kom-ih-SHUR-ot-uh-mee
Surgical separation of fused valve commissures to improve valve opening.
Full Definition
Commissurotomy is a surgical procedure that involves the careful division or separation of fused commissures (the junction points between valve leaflets) to restore normal valve function. Most commonly performed on the mitral valve for rheumatic stenosis, this procedure can be done as an open surgical technique or via balloon valvuloplasty. The goal is to increase the valve orifice area while minimizing regurgitation, and proper documentation must specify the technique used and degree of commissural opening achieved.
Usage
Usage note: Often used interchangeably with valvotomy, but commissurotomy specifically refers to commissural division.
In Context
- "Open mitral commissurotomy was performed with excellent separation of the anterolateral commissure." — Operative report
- "Balloon commissurotomy resulted in a 50% increase in mitral valve area." — Procedure note
Also known as
commissural splitting
valvotomy
Contrasted with
commissural fusion
Don't confuse with
valvuloplasty
annuloplasty