There are various congenital heart problems that may require surgical repair in adult life. Atrial septal defect is basically a hole in the septum of the heart between the two atria (upper chambers). This is resected through a sternal incision (breastbone) or via small incisions on the right chest wall. This procedure requires cardiopulmonary bypass with the heart lung machine briefly during the repair. This surgery takes approximately 3 hours  and the length of stay is 4-5 days. The total recovery time is approximately 6 weeks to allow healing of the breast bone. The overall surgical risk is less than 1%.

The Virtua Surgical Group's heart surgeons provide this service at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, Camden, N.J.