Septal defect repair closes a hole in the septum of the heart. The septum is a wall that separates the two sides of the heart. Septal defects are present at birth and can occur between the two atria or the two ventricles.
The goal of a septal defect repair is to relieve symptoms and prevent complications and irreversible heart and lung damage.
Are There Other Treatment Options?
Not all septal defects require surgery. In some cases, doctors recommend less invasive treatments to treat or repair septal defects. Less invasive treatments include catheter procedures and medicines to control symptoms.
Ask your doctor about all of the treatment options and consider getting a second opinion before deciding on surgery.
When to Consider Septal Defect Repair Surgery
Surgery may be necessary within a few months of birth if the septal defect causes severe symptoms. Other times, it’s best to wait for a baby to get stronger or even grow into childhood before undergoing surgery.
Your doctor may recommend surgery if:
- The septal defect is large or has not closed on its own by the time the child is in preschool (about three years old).
- The septal defect causes shortness of breath even with light activity.
- The septal defect is causing the heart to fail or have abnormal heart rhythms.
- The heart is abnormal on a chest X-ray or EKG (electrocardiogram).
- Nonsurgical management is not an option
If you decide on surgery, ask if your child is a good candidate for minimally invasive surgery. It can involve a faster recovery and less pain than open surgery.
Who May NOT Need Septal Defect Repair Surgery?
Surgery may not be necessary for very small septal defects. These small septal defects tend to close on their own with age. Septal defects that don’t close may require closure at some point.
What to Expect
A surgeon performs open septal defect repair surgery with a large incision or minimally invasive surgery with small or button hole-sized incisions. Catheter procedures involve a small incision in the groin.
For Your Child
Your child will have general anesthesia and may need to stay in the hospital overnight or up to a week, depending on the type of surgery.
Your child will need your help at home. Ask friends or family members for help with your other responsibilities while your child recovers from surgery. Talk with your employer if you need to take time off work. You may need to save vacation time or use the family medical leave act for unpaid leave.
Heart surgery increases the risk of infection with dental work. Your child will need to take prophylactic antibiotics for dental appointments and surgeries for six months after septal defect repair. This helps prevent a heart infection. Most people are no longer at risk of infections after the heart tissue has fully healed.
Cardiac rehabilitation may be part of recovery. Full recovery times can take several months, depending on the septal defect and type of surgery.
For Yourself
You will have general anesthesia and may need to stay in the hospital for up to a week. Full recovery times range from several weeks to a few months, depending on what type of septal defect repair you have (open, minimally invasive, or catheter-based). You’ll need help around the house and managing your daily activities. Arrange for help well in advance of surgery.
You may start cardiac rehabilitation after your incisions heal and you have more energy. This will help you get stronger so that you can return to your normal activities. In fact, you may enjoy more activities after surgery than before. This is especially true if you had shortness of breath or other symptoms that limited your activity level.
