Approach to the Mitral Valve Through a Right Thoracotomy in Potentially Hazardous Reoperation

5 patients requiring reoperation for mitral valve or prosthesis dysfunction (three second redo-mitral valve surgeries and two first redo, including one with an aortic prosthesis and one with patent aortocoronary grafts)

Mitral valve surgery (replacement or repair) through a right thoracotomy without clamping the ascending aorta

Surgical exposure, postoperative course, blood loss, discharge time, and NYHA functional class