The Ross Operation in Adolescents

The pulmonary autograft aortic valve replacement (Ross AVR) has clear advantages in growing children below the teenage years. Some recent reports have questioned the durability of the Ross AVR in older children and young adults, particularly those who present with predominant aortic regurgitation and a dilated aortic root. Brown and associates review their experience with the Ross operation in 79 children and young adults between the age of 10 and 20, mean of 16.0 ± 2.7 years. Analysis of outcomes including mortality, early and late complications and the need for reoperation is presented, with comparison to non-Ross AVR patients of the same age group during the same time period. The impact of technical modifications to the Ross operation is also assessed.