[Ruptures of the posterior wall of the left ventricle after mitral valve replacement: surgical repair and prevention].

We report two cases of type III rupture of the left ventricle posterior wall, situated midway between the mitral annulus and the posterior papillary muscle and occurring in immediate continuations of a mitral valvular replacement. The first case has occurred at the moment of the canulas removal in a 28 years old patient operated for mitral stenosis. The tear was repaired with horizontal mattress sutures through felt strips on the external surface of the heart. The immediate post operative course was marked by bleeding recurrence and cardiac failure which has led to death. In the second case, a 68 years old man was operated for degenerative mitral insufficiency. The rupture has occurred just before closing the chest. The repair was realized successfully by using an intra-ventricular patch. The chordae tendinae removal constitutes a factor predisposing to the left ventricle posterior wall rupture. The repair has to use an intra-ventricular patch. The prevention is based on the preservation of the continuity between the mitral annulus and papillary muscles by preserving the sub-valvular apparatus or by using synthetic chordae.