What is successful MV surgery?

I had a mitral valve repair done 5/17/99...severe regurgitation and enlarged lv and la.  The surgery was considered successful, leaving me with only "trivial" leakage. (My enlarged left atrium and ventricle have both returned to normal size).  I have spoken with others who have had repairs or replacements and, they too, have some minor leakage remaining.  What implication does residual post surgical leakage have, and does this have any bearing on the longevity of the repair or replacement?  Do some repairs result in absolutely no detectable leakage?  Thank you for your consideration.

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

Trivial leakage is nothing to worry about, often found in normal hearts also.

[Hank Eyring]

Hello There Stan,

I am writing you to let you know about a list that myself and several other Aortic Valve Replacement patients have created.

I am a 33 year old male who had aortic valve replacement surgery in April of 1999.  I often had questions about stuff like what do other people