Atrial septal defect repair by inversion of a juxtaposed left atrial appendage.

A 7-year-old child was noted to have dextrojuxtaposition of the left atrial appendage at the time of surgical atrial septal defect repair. Given the favourable anatomic location and size of the atrial appendage, it was inverted and used to close the atrial defect. This is the first report of atrial septal defect repair using a juxtaposed atrial appendage. The cardiac anatomy and theoretical benefits of this repair are discussed.