A new reconstructive operation for Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve

Ebstein's anomaly is a complex malformation involving the tricuspid valve and the right ventricle. Various surgical techniques, either repair or replacement of the abnormal tricuspid valve, have been used with variable results. In an attempt to enlarge the indications of conservative procedures, we developed a technique of repair that comprises the reconstruction of a normally shaped right ventricle and the repositioning of the tricuspid valve at the normal level. In a series of 14 patients operated on between January 1980 and December 1986 in our institution, only one patient with an associated atrioventricular septal defect required a tricuspid valve replacement. All of the other patients, regardless of the complexity of the tricuspid malformation, were able to benefit from this conservative technique. There were two hospital deaths and no late deaths in this series. All surviving patients displayed a marked improvement over their preoperative status with regard to functional class (92% are in class I or II) and rhythm disturbances. Echocardiographic and Doppler studies demonstrated a normal shape of the right ventricle and good tricuspid valve function in all the patients but one.