The surgical repair of congenital heart defects is governed by three rules: 1) the repair must be as physiological as possible; 2) the cumulated perioperative risk must be reasonable; and 3) the repair must allow normal quality and expectation of life. Surgical management of congenital heart defects at birth also depends upon the hemodynamic status of the newborn, particularly the quality of the intracardiac mixing and the ventricles' function. The possible surgical approaches (simple bi-ventricular, complex bi-ventricular, univentricular) are briefly described. One must recall that the first operation is the most important.
Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures Decision Making