The author reviews the surgical techniques utilized for reconstruction of continuity of the right ventricle and pulmonary artery trunk, giving emphasis to the different techniques and their associations, depending on the anatomy of each cardiac malformation. He illustrates two cases operated with the use of a new concept of biologic prosthesis manufactured with pig pulmonary valve and artery trunk, preserved in glutaraldheyde. There are two models: bivalvar graft and tubular valvar graft, in the present experiment. From May 91 to June 95, forty eight cases were operated. In 43 cases the bivalvar graft was used and in 5 cases the tubular valvar graft was used. There were 5 deaths (10.4%) in the early postoperative period and 2 cases (4.6%) in the late period. This new concept of reconstruction of pulmonary valve and outlet of the right ventricle using integral biological graft, avoided pulmonary obstruction, insufficiency, and low incidence of calcification. This technique is easily reproduced.
Reconstructive surgical procedures; Heart valve prosthesis; Heart ventricle; Pulmonary artery
