Results of a technique of mitral valve repair

A particular technique for mitral repair of the posterior leaflet prolapse of the mitral valve has been used at Royal North Shore Hospital over a 15-year period. The anatomical details, complications and results of repair, as well as mortality, are reviewed in a group of 49 patients. Surgery in this group was performed with three peri-operative deaths. Three patients required re-operation due to the failure of repair; one patient within one month of surgery and the others at 6.5 and 9 years. All patients improved symptomatically following mitral repair. This series demonstrates that the repair of posterior leaflet prolapse can be performed in all patient age groups with low mortality and morbidity rates. A low incidence of reoperation for failure of repair and other complications related to valve surgery can be anticipated.