The Ross procedure: new insights into the surgical anatomy.

BACKGROUND: The precise knowledge of regional anatomical details is of utmost importance specially in complex procedures such as the Ross operation. This anatomical study offers a critical approach regarding the advantages, limits, and precautions for this procedure.

METHODS: Using dissection techniques, magnifications up to x6 and nontraditional approaches, 68 fixed normal heart specimens were studied over a 2-year period. The details of surgical relevance such as the boundaries and relations of the pulmonary and aortic roots, their vascularization, and the number and distribution of the septal arteries are described.

RESULTS: The aortic and pulmonary roots include interdependent elements functioning in a coordinated manner and establishing important relations with adjacent structures. Both coronary arteries vascularize the arterial roots. The infundibular branches from the right coronary artery are larger and more constant. The septal arteries establish important relations with the pulmonary infundibulum but their contribution to its vascularization is negligible. In this series, the main septal artery was the second, showing the longest retroinfundibular course. However, no constant relation was found between this vessel and the intraventricular landmarks.

CONCLUSIONS: A novel approach was used by performing nontraditional dissections of the arterial roots and by studying their vascularization The depicted details are useful to the surgeon specializing in the Ross procedure and represent the basis for further research.