Reversible snaring technique for proper prosthetic valve replacement

Aims
The purpose of this article was to provide a benefit, easy technique regardless of the type, size, and position of the prosthetic heart valve for valve fitting into the annulus during valve replacement surgery.
Settings and design
Using this technique from August 2014 until August 2016 a total number of 83 prosthetic valve replacements in 68 patients (56 prosthetic MVR and 27 prosthetic AVR, 41 patients with single MVR, 12 single AVR, and 15 double A, MVR) were performed in Assiut University Hospitals.
Patients and methods
In this technique three to four of the valve sutures were snared; the cornerstone of this technique is to visualize the pledgets in-place, and if this can be done then the given valve can certainly be adequately seated.
Results
Those snares wedge the prosthetic valve into position in a reversible manner, allowing the surgeon to make estimation whether it is certainly reasonable for that size valve to be settled in a given annulus or not.
Conclusion
We recommend using this technique in all heart valve replacements prior to the final tightening of stitches.