[The conservative mitral valve surgery (author's transl)].

From 1969 to 1976 at Harefield Hospital 260 patients underwent conservative mitral valve surgery. The different techniques used are described. Of the 223 patients followed up (1 to 8 years, mean follow up 48 months) 73% are asymptomatic, 20% are improved and 7% are the same or worse. A conservative operation is possible in approximately 85% of the cases and according to our results this should be the operation of choice in mitral valve surgery.