Trans-ventricular septal defect approach for resection of accessory mitral valve tissue

Accessory mitral valve tissue is a rare cause of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, which can be difficult to recognize. Surgical resection by the conventional transaortic approach with or without left atriotomy is extremely difficult in infants with a small aorta. When a ventricular septal defect is present, it may be the best way to approach the accessory mitral valve tissue, because the ventricular septal defect is located just in front of it. Five infants underwent resection of accessory mitral valve tissue together with repair of other intracardiac malformations. In 3 infants, resection of accessory mitral valve tissue was easily performed through the ventricular septal defect, which required enlargement in 2 patients.