Cone Repair

Also known as: cone procedure, cone procedure for Ebstein anomaly, cone reconstruction for Ebstein anomaly, Ebstein repair

What is cone repair?

Ebstein (or Ebstein’s) anomaly is a rare heart condition present at birth in which the tricuspid valve, which separates the right atrium and right ventricle, is malformed and doesn’t function properly. Cone repair is a surgical technique used to correct Ebstein anomaly by reconstructing the tricuspid valve.

What happens during the procedure?

Cone repair involves surgically reconstructing the tricuspid valve using the patient’s own tissue. This creates a new, cone-shaped valve that grows along with the patient. This is a complex open-heart surgery that is performed under general anesthesia and requires a multi-day stay in the hospital.

Is any special preparation needed?

Your child will likely need to undergo several diagnostic tests to determine if they are a candidate for cone repair. Your doctors may have other guidance depending on the specific nature of the procedure or procedures. For example, you may need to avoid food and medication for a period of time before the procedure.

What are the risk factors?

A biventricular repair procedure does have risks and may involve multiple surgeries, so it’s important to discuss these risks and potential outcomes with your doctors. For example, bleeding and infection are possible after the procedure. Despite the risks, in many cases it’s the best treatment option available for the infant with a congenital heart defect, and many children who have undergone the procedure go on to lead healthy, productive lives.

Reviewed by: David Kalfa, MD

This page was last updated on: June 26, 2026 02:46 PM

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