Pericardiectomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing the pericardium, the sac-like membrane surrounding the heart. This procedure is usually performed to alleviate symptoms caused by the constriction or thickening of the pericardium. While there are no definitive synonyms for pericardiectomy, there are alternative medical terms that describe the same surgical intervention. For example, pericardial stripping is a procedure that involves the removal of the pericardium. It is sometimes used interchangeably with pericardiectomy. Other medical terms used to describe the same procedure include pericardiotomy and pericardiolysis, which involve making an incision or creating a hole in the pericardium to release the pressure around the heart.