Tricuspid commissurotomy.

The technique of tricuspid commissurotomy is based on principles different from those employed in mitral valve commissurotomy. In performing tricuspid commissurotomy, it is essential to identify and split the fan chordae, which are always fused and which clearly delineate the fused commissures. Failure to do this can result in an incorrect commissurotomy and secondary massive insufficiency. Our technique of tricuspid commissurotomy, employed in 205 patients, is presented.