Surgery for mitral restenosis

Four hundred and twenty-five patients underwent mitral valvotomy between 1960 and 1979, the majority by the closed method. Thirty-two patients required another operation for mitral restenosis. There was high incidence of reoperation after the 6th and 7th years (23.3%) and after the 9th and 10th years (26.4%) postoperatively. Sixteen patients (47%) with restenosis underwent a second closed mitral valvotomy with a satisfactory result, 12 patients (35.4%) required valve replacement, and 6 patients (17.6%) had an open valvotomy. Another valvotomy for pure mitral restenosis can give satisfactory results, but where the valve is severely deformed or incompetent, valve replacement is preferred.