Mobilization of the aorta and the pulmonary arteries
The two great arteries were separated from each other by dividing the pericardial reflection and between them, starting from the level of the top of the commissures and pulmonary artery till the level of pulmonary arterial branching on either side. Low voltage cautery (10-15 mv) was used during dissection. The aorta, right and left pulmonary arteries were looped using elastomer vessel loops.