From June 1987 to October 1990, nine patients with congenital mitral stenosis (CMS) underwent surgical correction through an apical left ventriculotomy. Seven patients had parachute mitral valve and two had other forms of CMS. The surgical treatment of the mitral valve apparatus starts from below: first the papillary muscle is split and the cordae are divided and fenestrated. Then, the commissurotomies were performed through the ventricles aspect of the mitral valve. Associated anomalies were corrected simultaneously. There was no in-hospital death and only one late death (nonrelated). The echocardiography showed non significant residual stenosis and normal global function of the left ventricle. In conclusion, the appical left ventriculotomy is a good approach for treatment of CMS.
heart valves, mitral; ventriculotomy, apical, left