[Mitral valve repair by the sliding leaflet technique employed for a broad prolapse in the posterior leaflet: a case report].

We report a case of a broad prolapse in the posterior leaflet successfully treated by a mitral valve repair by the sliding leaflet technique. The mitral valve regurgitation was caused by a rupture and elongation in the chordae supporting the middle scallop. First 3 cm of the leaflet was quadrangularly resected, then the posterior leaflet was detached from the annulus. Suture annuloplasty of that portion was performed and then the posterior leaflet was reattached to the annulus. Finally a Carpentier-Edwards annuloplasty ring was sutured in position. A postoperative study revealed no regurgitation. The sliding leaflet technique seemed to be effective to reduce tension in the isovolumic stress area caused by covering the broad gap left by the resected leaflet. When mitral valve repair by the sliding leaflet technique is performed, we recommend the use of an annuloplasty ring to decrease the stress on the suture line, to remodel the annular configuration and to prevent annular dilatation.