Semilunar valve replacement with a cylindrical valve.

A cylindrical valve was designed to prevent regurgitation of the semilunar valve. The valve is made of a sheet of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or porcine pericardium, and has three cusps and three commissures. The diameter of the valve is equal to the height of the cusps. We have used these valves in pulmonary stenosis after Jatene's operation and total correction of tetralogy of Fallot, and for truncal valve regurgitation. Regurgitation was trivial on color Doppler echocardiography in all cases. Advantages in comparison with the implantation of commercially available artificial valves include the ability to insert a larger size and no compression of the valve ring when closing the sternum. Outflow tract obstruction does not occur even when the valve is implanted in a small infant. In the present report, we describe this simple technique.