Procedure

Ross-Konno operation in children

Viktor Hraka^*, Joachim Photiadis, Rudolf Poruban, Peter Murin and Boulos Asfour

Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, German Pediatric Heart Center, Asklepios Clinic Sankt Augustin, Arnold Janssen Str. 29, 53757 Sankt Augustin, Germany

^* Corresponding author: Tel.: +49-2241-249603; fax: +49-2241-249602. v.hraska{at}asklepios.com

The Ross-Konno procedure is an excellent technique for the treatment of complex multilevel left ventricular outflow tract obstruction with severe annular hypoplasia and a dysplastic aortic valve. The operation can be performed earlier in life, thus avoiding repeated surgical reinterventions, which may provide only short-term palliation and potentially exacerbate ventricular function. The Ross-Konno procedure increases our therapeutic choices for neonates or infants with critical aortic stenosis, who show unacceptable results following open valvotomy or balloon valvotomy. The pulmonary autograft demonstrates durability without the likelihood of developing aortic stenosis or progressive dilatation and a low incidence of developing aortic insufficiency. Despite the technically demanding nature of the operation, the Ross-Konno procedure is the method of choice for the multilevel type of left ventricle outflow tract obstruction, especially in newborns and infants.

Key Words: Aortic valve replacement • Congenital heart disease • Multilevel left ventricle outflow tract obstruction