Repair of complete atrioventricular septal defect (cAVSD) is achieved with low mortality. However, there is a high rate of reoperation on the left atrioventricular valve (LAVV), which is often attributed to nonclosure of the cleft. Although nonclosure of the cleft has been reported to be a risk factor for reoperation, no randomized controlled or propensity-matched trials have ever been performed. We investigated the effect of cleft closure on outcomes after cAVSD repair.
