What is the medical term for a surgical puncture of a vein to draw blood?

The correct term for a surgical puncture of a vein to draw blood is phlebotomy. This procedure is specifically performed to obtain blood samples for various tests, transfusions, or therapeutic reasons. It involves the use of a needle to enter the vein and collect blood into a vial or container.

While venipuncture is often used synonymously with phlebotomy and refers generally to the process of puncturing a vein, phlebotomy emphasizes the act of drawing blood specifically. Phlebitis, on the other hand, refers to inflammation of a vein, often related to complications from intravenous therapy, and cannulation involves inserting a tube into a vein or cavity for various medical purposes, which is not limited to just blood draws.