The techniques of mitral valve repair developed and popularized by Carpentier4 are the basis of the conservative approach to mitral valve surgery and are extensively used in our institution. The central double-orifice technique has been essentially reserved for patients with severe MR caused by complex lesions requiring demanding (although effective) surgical techniques for correction or with an expected lower probability of successful repair, namely, prolapse of both leaflets, prolapse of the anterior leaflet, or prolapse of the posterior leaflet in the presence of an extensively calcified anulus. Also, a small number of patients with restricted leaflet motion caused by rheumatic or ischemic disease were conveniently treated with the central double-orifice technique, as were patients with erosion of the free edge of the leaflets. After the introduction of the central double-orifice technique, the percentage of patients with pure MR treated with mitral valve reconstruction is approximately 95%. Many patients in this series underwent the operation when they were still relatively asymptomatic or with few symptoms, despite severe MR. This strategy, which is consistent with the concept that early intervention is associated with a positive effect on the natural history of the disease,14 reflects our confidence in the central double-orifice technique as a method that can provide an effective and durable repair, even in the presence of complex lesions. Along with early operation, a minimally invasive approach is now often requested, particularly by young women, who are understandably reluctant to undergo a major operation with no or few symptoms. On the basis of our limited experience, even complex lesions, such as bileaflet prolapse in Barlow disease, can be effectively corrected with the central double-orifice technique through a minithoracotomy with the Heartport system for cardiopulmonary bypass. The central double-orifice procedure can be carried out in a short period of time, as demonstrated by the duration of cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic crossclamping time in this series. This is particularly convenient when associated procedures are needed and in patients with poor preoperative conditions or with advanced left ventricular dysfunction. The central double-orifice repair is technically simple, but careful evaluation of the mitral valve is always mandatory, and considerable judgment is required in selecting the right site for the approximation of the leaflets and the appropriate extension of the suture. The surgeon should aim at the complete elimination of the MR, minimizing the reduction of the valve area. Inadequate application of the technique may result either in residual MR or in mitral stenosis. When the leaflets are particularly redundant, as in Barlow disease, the suture should also aim at the reduction of the height of the leaflets to prevent systolic anterior movement of the anterior leaflet. The technical details of the central double-orifice repair as a standardized approach to treat MR in the setting of Barlow disease have been published previously.13