Simplified Surgical Conversion of Mechanical to Bioprosthetic Bentall With Leaflet Fracture Technique

We report a case of simplified surgical conversion from a prior mechanical composite valved conduit to a bioprosthetic aortic valve using a leaflet fracture technique. A 69-year-old man presented with progressive heart failure 7 years after aortic root replacement for bicuspid aortic stenosis and root aneurysm. Imaging revealed severe prosthetic valve stenosis and suspected pannus formation. Given significant comorbidities, a simplified approach was chosen to avoid full root re-replacement. Following redo sternotomy and graft incision, the mechanical valve leaflets were fractured and removed. A Foley balloon inserted into the left ventricular outflow tract prevented leaflet embolization. Pannus excision revealed a hypertrophic subvalvular septum, prompting a septal myectomy. A 23-mm bioprosthetic valve was implanted above the retained mechanical housing using interrupted mattress sutures. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and echocardiography confirmed good valve function. This case highlights the utility of leaflet fracture as a safe and efficient option in high-risk reoperative settings and underscores the added benefit of direct subvalvular visualization for detecting underlying anatomic contributors to prosthetic dysfunction not detected preoperatively.