Transventricular Mitral Valvotomy

In a consecutive series of 200 operations for relief of mitral stenosis, transventricular valvotomy was performed whenever digital valvotomy was found to be ineffective. The operative mortality was 12.5 per cent. In a series of 17 second operations for mitral stenosis, the transventricular method was similarly used, with 2 operative deaths. A left lateral thoracotomy was employed, with reentry through the left atrium. The results of transventricular valvotomy were more satisfactory than when the usual commissurotomy through the left atrium was employed.