Modified Single-Patch Technique Versus Two-Patch Technique for the Repair of Complete Atrioventricular Septal Defect: A Meta-Analysis

Technical selection for surgical repair of complete atrioventricular septal defect (CAVSD) still remains controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to compare the modified single-patch (MP) technique with the two-patch (TP) technique for patients with CAVSD. Relevant studies comparing the MP technique with the TP technique were identified through a literature search using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. The variables were ventricular septal defect (VSD) size, cardiopulmonary bypass (CBP) time, aortic cross-clamp (ACC) time, intensive care unit stay, hospital stay, and other outcomes involving mortality, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, atrioventricular valve regurgitation, residual septal shunt, atrioventricular block, and reoperation. A random-effect/fixed-effect model was used to summarize the estimates of mean difference/odds ratio with 95% confidence interval. Subgroup analysis stratified by region was performed. Fifteen publications involving 1034 patients were included. This meta-analysis demonstrated that (1) VSD size in the MP group was significantly smaller; (2) CBP time, ACC time, and hospital stay in the MP group experienced improvement; (3) Other postoperative outcomes showed no significant differences between two groups; and (4) The trends in China and other countries were close. The MP and TP techniques had comparable outcomes; however, the MP technique was performed with significantly shorter CBP and ACC times in patients with smaller VSDs. Given this limitation of data, the results of comparison of the two techniques in patients with larger VSDs remain unknown. Further studies are needed.