Essen-Commando: How we do it

J Card Surg. 2021 Jan;36(1):286-289. doi: 10.1111/jocs.15140. Epub 2020 Oct 21.

Abstract

In rare cases of extensive aortic root or mitral valve infective endocarditis (IE), severe calcification of the aortic and mitral valves, or double-valve procedures in patients with small aortic and mitral annuli, surgical reconstruction of the intervalvular fibrous body (IVFB) is required. A high mortality is generally associated with this procedure, and it is frequently avoided by surgeons due to a lack of experience. It is crucial to radically resect all tissues that are severely affected by IE to prevent recurrence in the patient. Our experience with the Commando procedure in patients with extensive double-valve IE involving the IVFB is presented in this article.

Keywords: Commando procedure; IVFB reconstruction; intervalvular fibrous body; valve surgery.

MeSH terms

  • Aortic Valve / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Valve / surgery
  • Endocarditis* / surgery
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation*
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis*
  • Humans
  • Mitral Valve / diagnostic imaging
  • Mitral Valve / surgery
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures*