Tricuspid Septal Leaflet Detachment for Ventricular Septal Defect Repair in Adults

We report a 21-year-old patient with a ventricular septal defect (VSD) with an embolic vegetation on the tricuspid valve using a technique of septal leaflet detachment to facilitate the repair of the VSD. Although described in the pediatric patients, this technique has not been reported in adults. The technique of septal leaflet mobilization is described, along with other techniques of tricuspid leaflet mobilization that aid in VSD visualization and repair. Tricuspid leaflet detachment has application for adult surgeons repairing perimembranous, postinfarction, and iatrogenic VSD encountered in resection of subaortic stenosis.