Closure of the zone of apposition at correction of complete atrioventricular septal defect improves outcome

Abstract

This study demonstrates the advantage of closing the zone of apposition ('cleft') as part of repair of complete atrioventricular septal defect. Survival, freedom from reoperation for left atrioventricular valve incompetence and over-all outcome were more favourable in patients of group II. The zone of apposition should be surgically addressed whenever the morphology of the left atrioventricular valve allows for closure without producing stenosis.