Mitral Valvotomy in Situs Inversus with Associated Skeletal Anomalies.

The first case of mitral stenosis in a patient with situs inversus was reported from this hospital in 1911 (Owen). We have found four reports of mitral valvotomy in such cases (Berkowitz and Likoff, 1954; Koshy et al., 1955; Naef, 1957; Michaud et al., 1959) and a fifth is reported here. Viscott (1960) collected some 900 previously reported cases of complete situs inversus and suggested that its incidence was 0'007 per cent (approximately 1: 13,600). The coincidence of this condition with rheumatic heart disease must, therefore, be rare. Other congenital abnormalities may be present in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, in the alimentary and urinary tracts, and in the skeleton. Johnson (1949) states, "It appears that the varieties of transposition are legion, the associated congenital anomalies are numerous and the person with situs inversus is as susceptible to acquired diseases as is one without it".