Commissure enhancement technique in aortic valve repair.

Sinotubular junction enlargement is one of possible causes of aortic valve regurgitation. However, there is no appropriate technique for sinotubular junction diameter reduction in aortic valve repair in a patient without disease of the ascending aorta or sinus of Valsalva. Herein, we report a simple commissure enhancement technique comprising the placement a horizontal mattress suture buttressed with felt at the sinotubular junction level in the commissure area. This technique results in the relocation of the commissure to the inner side, and a reduction in the diameter of the sinotubular junction.