Ross Procedure. Inserting the Autograft using a Fully Supported Root
Replacement Method; Techniques and Results
Peter D. Skillington MD, John A. Fuller MD, Leeanne E. Grigg MD,
Anthony G. Yapanis MD, Graeme F. Porter MD

A fully supported root replacement (FSRR) method was designed and implemented in 78 patients, in whom the lower ascending aorta was preserved to completely surround and support the pulmonary autograft root, including the sinotubular junction. There was one early death, but no late deaths or reoperations on aortic or pulmonary valves. Late aortic regurgitation was nil/trivial in 72% of patients, mild in 27% and moderate in 1%, with no progression over four years' follow up. Four patients with standard root replacement demonstrated a marked increase in aortic root dimensions over the same follow up period, though those having FSRR did not change. This method prevents dilatation of the neoaortic root after the Ross procedure.