Minimizing foreign material in the reconstruction of infected complex annuloaortic disruption.

For repairing disrupted ventriculoaortic continuity caused by complicated aortic root infection, my colleagues and I simply approximate it without any patch material to decrease the possible risk of recurrence of infection. After massive and aggressive debridement of the infected tissue, all discontinuities or abscess cavities were excluded by using interrupted sutures to anchor a new valve substitute in 13 patients. Only 1 patient died of uncontrolled sepsis. During the follow-up period (mean, 21.5 months) all 12 survivors have done well, without any evidence of paravalvular leakage or recurrent infections.