Mobilization of the anterior mitral leaflet for excision of a left ventricular myxoma

Left ventricular myxomas are extremely rare. We report use of a left atrial approach with mobilization of the anterior mitral valve leaflet to enhance exposure of the subvalvar region and facilitate Excision of a left ventric ular myxoma entangled within the chordal apparatus, lying between the anter olateral papillary muscle and the left ventricular wall. The detached mitra l leaflet was reattached to the annulus with a continuous suture. The tumor was completely excised, thus avoiding a separate transventricular or trans aortic approach. (Ann Thorac Surg 1999;67:1476-8) (C) 1999 by The Society o f Thoracic Surgeons.