Impact of the Tricuspid Valve Detachment Technique on Hard-to-Expose Ventricular Septal Defect Closure

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure is a common procedure in congenital heart surgery. The exposure of VSDs can be challenging, especially in cases involving the tricuspid septal or anterior leaflets, chordae, or subvalvular apparatus. Although tricuspid valve detachment has been suggested to improve surgical visibility, its long-term effects remain unclear. Herein, we investigated the outcomes of VSD closure with or without tricuspid valve detachment and assessed the impact of this technique on postoperative tricuspid valve function and atrioventricular conduction. In total, 175 patients who underwent isolated VSD closure through the right atrium were retrospectively enrolled and divided into 2 groups: the tricuspid valve detachment group (n = 17, 9.7%) and the nontricuspid valve detachment group (n = 158, 90.3%). Patient characteristics were comparable between the two groups, and medical records and echocardiography reports were reviewed for each patient. The primary outcomes were mortality and reoperation, whereas the secondary outcomes included residual VSD, tricuspid valve regurgitation, advanced atrioventricular block, and aortic valve regurgitation. Clinical variables were compared between the two groups. Overall, tricuspid valve detachment did not increase perioperative complications or affect long-term tricuspid valve function. There were no cases of mortality or reoperation in either group. Although the tricuspid valve detachment group had longer bypass and cross-clamp times, this did not significantly affect ventilation or intensive care unit stay duration. Follow-up echocardiography revealed no significant intergroup differences in tricuspid regurgitation, residual shunt, or aortic valve regurgitation. In conclusion, tricuspid valve detachment is a safe and reliable technique for the complete closure of hard-to-expose VSDs without compromising tricuspid valve function. Moreover, it does not increase the risk of adverse events, and its outcomes remain favorable during short- and long-term follow-ups.