What is the Fontan Procedure for HLHS?

A healthy heart pumps blood to the lungs through the pulmonary valve and pulmonary artery after it leaves the body and empties into the right ventricle through the tricuspid valve.

Through the tricuspid valve and pulmonary veins, oxygenated blood leaves the lungs and returns to the left atrium of the heart. Blood can then enter the left ventricle and be pumped throughout the body when the mitral valve opens.

For blood that has lost oxygen to go straight to the lungs and then into the heart to be circulated throughout the body, the Fontan surgery is performed. The vascular structures supplying the heart and lungs must be surgically rebuilt.

If one of the heart's valves is absent or one of the ventricles is too tiny or underdeveloped, surgery is required. Such conditions are referred to as single ventricle defects. Because they restrict the heart's capacity to continuously pump blood enriched with oxygen, they may pose a serious risk to life.

Who needs to have the Fontan Procedure?

Children with congenital cardiac conditions such as double outlet right ventricle, tricuspid atresia, and hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) undergo the Fontan operation.

Children may require the Glenn and Norwood procedures before the Fontan surgery, depending on the nature of their cardiac condition.

What is the Fontan procedure used for?

A ventricular or valve problem is the source of various cardiac problems that can be treated with a Fontan Procedure, including:

• Tricuspid atresia.
• Pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum.
• Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries.
• Unbalanced atrioventricular canal defects.
• Severe Ebstein’s anomaly.
• Double inlet left ventricle.
• Heterotaxy syndrome (some organs aren’t in their normal locations).
• Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (the most common reason for a Fontan procedure).
• Hypoplastic right heart syndrome

What Does the Fontan Procedure Do?

Normal circulation involves the left ventricle pumping blood to the body with oxygen and the right ventricle pumping blood to the lungs to obtain oxygen. However, one ventricle is too little in some heart conditions. The other ventricle therefore has to pump blood to the body in addition to the lungs. Additionally, a mixture of blood with and without oxygen is pumped into the body. Without enough oxygen, the body cannot function properly.

Blood from the lower body travels straight to the lungs following the Fontan Procedure. The heart receives the high-oxygen blood. Thus, the solitary ventricle:

• Just circulates blood throughout the body
• Only gives the body high-oxygen blood
• Blood with and without oxygen is no longer mixed together.

What happens before a Fontan procedure?

When the doctor evaluating your child determines that they are a good candidate for the Fontan treatment, they will do several tests, which could include:

• TTE stands for transthoracic echocardiography.
• Heart-rate chart (EKG).
• Heart catheterization.
• Evaluate your child's lungs by monitoring their respiration and oxygen saturation.
• Sometimes imaging is used, such CT or MRI.

What happens during the Fontan procedure?

When doing the Fontan Procedure, the physician-

• Uses a conduit (tube) to join the inferior vena cava (IVC) to the pulmonary artery after being disconnected from the heart.
• Creates a tiny opening between the right atrium and the conduit. There is still some blood returning to the heart through this opening, or fenestration. It gives the lungs time to adjust by preventing an excessive amount of blood from entering them immediately. By performing a heart catheterization Procedure later on, doctors can close the fenestration.

What happens after a Fontan procedure?

An intensive care unit (ICU) will be used for close observation of your child by the medical staff. They'll proceed to a standard hospital room after that.

Instructions on how to take care of your child when it's time to return home will be provided by your healthcare professional.

What is recovery like after the Fontan procedure?

After a Fontan surgical surgery, most patients stay in the hospital for seven to thirteen days on average. We'll be in the ICU for the first few days. It will be in a standard hospital room on the other days.

What benefits may one expect from a Fontan cardiac procedure?

A Fontan surgery procedure-

• Relieves a child's single functional ventricle of part of its burden.
• Lessens the mixing of blood with low oxygen content and blood with high oxygen content.
• Enhances a child's blood oxygen content.

When to Make a Doctor's Appointment

What time best is to see a doctor?

Follow up with your child's doctor if they experience any of the following their Fontan procedure:

• Seeping from their chest wound, either blood or other fluids.
• Fever or further indications of infection.

After a Fontan cardiac procedure, your child should visit their doctor every six to twelve months. Regular tests, such as the following, might also be necessary:

• Blood tests.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG).
• Chest X-ray.
• Heart MRI.
• Thoracic echocardiogram (TTE).
• Holter monitor.
• Liver ultrasound and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Annual liver function tests.

Why Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Fontan Procedure for Children Born with HLHS?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital in Lucknow, India, safely performs the Fontan Procedure for Children Born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). The hospital has skilled pediatric heart surgeons and provides modern ICU care. Their supportive team works to ensure better outcomes, gentle recovery, and long-term heart health for young patients.

To seek an expert consultation for the Fontan Procedure for Children in Lucknow, India

Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com

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