Objective To investigate the optimal surgical approaches for complete atrioventricular septal defect.Method 142 patients undergoing total correction for CAVSD from January 2005 to December 2011 were classified to the modified single-patch technique group (105 patients, 73.9%) and the classical two-patch technique group (37 patients, 26.1%).All patients were divided into three groups, <6 months, 6~12 months, >12 months.Result There were 7 patients died early after surgery (4.9%), 2 cases died from pulmonary hypertension crisis ,3 cases died from low cardiac output syndrome and sepsis in 2 cases.The surgical outcomes of the modified single-patch technique were compared with those of the classical two-patch technique.The aortic cross-clamp time and cardiopulmonary bypass time were shorter in the modified single-patch technique group (P<0.05).There is no significant difference in the surgical mortality and mitral valve function between these two groups.Conclusion CAVSD should be early diagnosis and surgical treatment, 3 to 6 months of age is appropriate timing for surgery.And the modified single-patch technique has the advantage of relative simplicity and shorter ischemic time, and it is thought to be a feasible surgical option for the repair of CAVSD.