What is the medical abbreviation for 'surgical incision'?

The medical abbreviation for 'surgical incision' is derived from the suffix "-otomy." This term is used in various medical contexts to indicate the act of cutting into a body part, often as part of a surgical procedure. For instance, a laparotomy refers to an incision into the abdominal cavity, while a phlebotomy refers to the incision into a vein.

The significance of "-otomy" lies in its root meaning, which is directly related to surgical procedures involving incisions. In medical terminology, this suffix is commonly paired with specific prefixes that denote the location or type of incision.

Other options do not pertain to surgical incision: "-fissure" usually refers to a narrow opening or a split, "-edema" describes swelling caused by fluid retention, and "-lith" refers to stones or calculi in the body, primarily relating to surgical procedures for stone removal rather than the act of incision itself.