[Replacement of the prosthetic aortic valve within a composite graft]

In 1974, a 36-year-old man underwent composite graft replacement of the aortic valve and the ascending aorta with a Starr-Edwards prosthesis (2320). In 1993, he had hemolytic anemia due to cloth wear of the Starr-Edwards prosthesis. The prosthetic aortic valve was removed and replaced without replacement of the conduit. This technique was simple and safe, and was useful to avoid unnecessary dissection.