---
title: "List of -otomies"
chunk: 1/1
source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_-otomies"
category: "reference"
tags: "science, encyclopedia"
date_saved: "2026-05-05T03:29:40.442170+00:00"
instance: "kb-cron"
---

The suffix '-otomy' is derived from Greek  τόμος (-tómos) 'cutting, sharp, separate'.


== Medical procedures ==
Amniotomy – An incision created to accelerate labor.
Androtomy – Dissection of the human body.
Bilateral cingulotomy – Psychosurgery, treatment for depression and addiction .
Bronchotomy – A procedure that ensures there is an open airway between a patient's lung/s and the outside world.
Clitoridotomy – Plastic surgery of the clitorial hood.
Coeliotomy – A large incision through the abdominal wall to gain access into the abdominal cavity
Colpotomy –  Extraction of fluid from the rectouterine pouch through a needle.
Cordotomy – Procedure that disables selected pain-conducting tracts in the spinal cord, in order to achieve loss of pain and temperature perception.
Craniotomy – A bone flap is temporarily removed from the skull to access the brain.
Cricothyrotomy – An incision made through the skin and cricothyroid membrane to establish a patent airway during certain life-threatening situations.
Escharotomy – Procedure used to treat full-thickness (third-degree) circumferential burns.
Episiotomy – Surgical incision of the perineum and the posterior vaginal wall.
Fasciotomy – Surgical procedure where the fascia is cut to relieve tension or pressure commonly to treat the resulting loss of circulation to an area of tissue or muscle.
Heller myotomy – Muscles of the cardia (lower oesophageal sphincter or LOS) are cut, allowing food and liquids to pass to the stomach.
Hymenotomy – Surgical removal or opening of the hymen.
Hysterotomy – Incision in the uterus, and is performed during a Caesarean section.
Laminotomy – The partial removal (or by making a larger opening) of the lamina.
Laparotomy – Large incision through the abdominal wall to gain access into the abdominal cavity.
Lithotomy position – Medical term referring to a common position for surgical procedures and medical examinations involving the pelvis and lower abdomen.
Lobotomy – Cutting or scraping away most of the connections to and from the prefrontal cortex, the anterior part of the frontal lobes of the brain.
Meatotomy – Form of penile modification in which the underside of the glans is split.
Myotomy – Procedure in which muscle is cut.
Osteotomy – A bone is cut to shorten or lengthen it or to change its alignment.
Phlebotomy – An incision in a vein with a needle.
Pulpotomy – Removal of a portion of the pulp, including the diseased aspect.
Radial keratotomy – A refractive surgical procedure to correct myopia.
Sphincterotomy – Treating mucosal fissures from the anal canal/sphincter.
Thoracotomy – Incision into the pleural space of the chest.
Thyrotomy – Incision of the larynx through the thyroid cartilage.
Tracheotomy – An incision on the anterior aspect of the neck and opening a direct airway through an incision in the trachea (windpipe).
Trans-orbital lobotomy – Cutting or scraping away most of the connections to and from the prefrontal cortex, the anterior part of the frontal lobes of the brain.


== Other -otomies ==
Dichotomy
False dichotomy
Ousterhout's dichotomy
Trichotomy
Trichotomy property


== See also ==
List of surgical procedures
List of -ectomies
List of -ostomies


== References ==