TRANS-VENTRICULAR SEPTAL-DEFECT APPROACH FOR RESECTION OF ACCESSORY MITRAL-VALVE TISSUE

Accessory mitral valve tissue is a rare cause of left ventricular outf low tract obstruction, which can be difficult to recognize. Surgical r esection by the conventional transaortic approach with or without left atriotomy is extremely difficult in infants with a small aorta. When a ventricular septal defect is present, it may be the best way to appr oach the accessory mitral valve tissue, because the ventricular septal defect is located just in front of it. Five infants underwent resecti on of accessory mitral valve tissue together with repair of other intr acardiac malformations. In 3 infants, resection of accessory mitral va lve tissue was easily performed through the ventricular septal defect, which required enlargement in 2 patients.