The Ross Procedure – The Loose Jacket Technique

The only procedure which guarantees long-term viability of the aortic valve substitute is the Ross operation. This translates into increased durability, survival, exercise capacity, quality of life, and minimal valve related complications. However, progressive autograft dilatation does provide some is concern. Particularly, when used as a freestanding root. The incidence and degree of dilatation varies considerably in different series and is dependent on the technique used as well as management during the peri-operative period and importantly patient-specific characteristics. Here we present a new method which aims at preventing long-term dilatation, using autologous tissue, while preserving geometry and dynamism of the aortic root.