Abstract: A valvulotome for surgically removing venous valves in order to convert a vein into an arterial bypass, comprises a thin, elongated rod capable of insertion into a vein and a head having a blunt tip secured to the distal end of the rod. The head has two sharp-pointed blades extending in the proximal direction from the proximal side of the tip. The point of each blade is located radially inwardly with respect to the outer surface of the tip, and each blade is defined by a pair of surfaces which are respectively parts of intersecting right, circular, cones, both coaxial with the rod but having different apex angles, and by a pair of surfaces lying in planes intersecting each other on a line peripendicular to and intersecting the axis of the rod. The planes and conical surfaces all intersect at the point of the blade.