An efficient way to make a trileaflet conduit for pulmonary valve replacement.

Abstract

Pulmonary regurgitation after repair of tetralogy of Fallot has always been an important issue for pediatric cardiac surgeons. Some of the patients may need pulmonary valve replacement in the future. Conventional prosthesis valves were seldom custom made for the pulmonary valve and were often inadequate to use because of variable age and size of these patients. Through evolution of techniques, we have developed a simple, efficient, and theoretically anatomic way of constructing trileaflet polytetrafluoroethylene valved conduit used for right ventricle outflow tract reconstruction. It was surprisingly straightforward, time efficient, and capable of being produced in various sizes.