We present early results and long-term follow-up after reduction aortoplasty with external wrapping of the ascending aorta. From December 1993 to February 2008, 32 consecutive patients who had reduction aortoplasty were compared with 47 consecutive patients who underwent prosthetic graft replacement of the ascending aorta. The groups were similar in baseline characteristics. Patients in the reduction aortoplasty group had significantly shorter aortic crossclamp times (18.78 +/- 1.91 vs. 34.04 +/- 3.25 min) and cardiopulmonary bypass times (30.16 +/- 2.36 vs. 60.83 +/- 2.05 min), and they received fewer transfusions. There was no significant enlargement of the aortic diameter at the level of the sinus of Valsalva in the reduction aortoplasty group during the follow-up period (from 38.84 +/- 3.10 to 39.48 +/- 2.72 mm). Reduction aortoplasty with external wrapping of the ascending aorta is a simple and promising surgical method. Our experience shows that this technique is the procedure of choice in patients without aortic dissection and with an appropriately sized sinus of Valsalva.