OBJECTIVE Common atrium (CA) is a rare congenital heart defect. We reviewed our experience of surgical treatment of CA and summarize the clinical features of CA and the key techniques for surgical correction. METHODS Between August 1984 and August 2010, 37 consecutive cases of CA underwent corrective surgery. There were no clinical findings of Down, asplenia-polysplenia or Ellis-van Creveld syndromes in all cases. Mitral valvuloplasty was performed in 34 cases, and tricuspid valvuloplasty in 20 cases. Complete closure of a mitral cleft was required in 32 cases. All new atrial septa were reconstructed using patches. Follow-up period ranged from 1 to 20 years. RESULTS There were no hospital deaths or conduction system block. After surgery, mild mitral insufficiency was observed in only one case. Two cases had moderate-severe mitral insufficiency at postoperative years 1 and 3, respectively, that required mitral valve replacements. One patient died of low cardiac output syndrome after reoperation. CONCLUSIONS Long-term survival after surgical correction of CA is good. Routine closure of a cleft in the mitral valve is very important for successful surgery.