BACKGROUND Historically, porcine bioprosthetic valves have poor durability in pediatric patients; nearly half will require replacement within 5 years. However, our early experience with patients having Ebstein's anomaly suggests that tricuspid bioprostheses in this anomaly might have better durability. METHODS One hundred fifty-eight patients who received a primary tricuspid bioprosthesis because of tricuspid valve anatomy unsuitable for repair between April 1972 and January 1997 were reviewed. Results were analyzed and Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed to estimate patient survival and probability of remaining free of reoperation. RESULTS Follow-up of 149 patients (94.3%) who survived 30 days ranged up to 17.8 years (mean, 4.5 years). Ten-year survival was 92.5%+/-2.5% (SE), 129 late survivors (92.1%) were in New York Heart Association class I or II, and 93.6% were free of anticoagulation. Freedom from bioprosthesis replacement was 97.5%+/-1.9% at 5 years and 80.6%+/-7.6% at 10 and 15 years. CONCLUSIONS Bioprosthesis durability in the tricuspid position in patients with Ebstein's anomaly compares very favorably with bioprosthesis durability in other cardiac valve positions, especially for pediatric patients, and also compares favorably with tricuspid bioprosthesis durability in patients with other diagnoses.