Valve Surgery
Ross Operation
During the Ross operation, the pulmonary valve of the patient is excised and implanted in the place of the diseased aortic valve. The outflow tract of the right ventricle is then reconstructed using a human homograft or a stentless valve.
The advantage of this operation is that the aortic valve is replaced by a living valve from the same individual. This new aortic valve is able to grow if the operation was performed in a child. The disadvantage of this operation is its relative invasiveness, as an aortic valve operation is converted to a double valve operation.
Practically speaking, a single valve disease is converted to a double valve disease. The implanted pulmonary valve is commonly needed to be replaced later on. In addition, important coronary arteries supplying the ventricular septum can be injured during the Ross operation. This operation is currently not performed in Heart Center Lahr / Baden. Based on our excellent experience with more than 1200 stentless valves, we recommend these valves instead of the Ross operation even in young patients who wish to get pregnant, in whom mechanical valves are generally ruled out because of the harmful effect of Marcumar on the embryo.
Please also take notice of the Therapy Practices
For more details please visite te Guidebook for Patients
