Combined superior and right lateral left atriotomy with division of the superior vena cava for exposure of the mitral valve.
Division of the superior vena cava allows combined use of the superior and right lateral approaches to the mitral valve when exposure is inadequate with either approach alone. I have not recognized complications related to this procedure in my experience with 3 patients.
D000368:Aged; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000601:surgery; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000601:surgery; D008946:Mitral Valve Stenosis / Q000601:surgery*; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000601:surgery*