What is the Glenn Procedure for HLHS?

The Glenn (or bidirectional Glenn) is a surgical procedure used to enhance blood circulation in the heart of an infant or a child who has a tiny right or left side (either of the valves from the upper room to the bottom room or even the pumping chamber). Taping your child's superior vena cava onto their pulmonary arteries makes sure blood that needs to be supplied with oxygen finds its way directly into their lungs.

Your superior vena cava returns oxygen-poor blood from your upper body. Under normal circumstances, this blood would pass through your heart chambers to your pulmonary artery to receive oxygen. The Glenn surgery enables the blood to circumvent a defective area in your heart to deliver the oxygen-poor blood directly to your lungs.

This procedure usually follows one or more surgeries babies have shortly after being born. Babies will then get a second surgery several years later for a permanent fix.

What does the Glenn procedure do?

The bidirectional Glenn procedure improves the flow of blood in individuals with a congenital (existing at birth) heart defect that prevents them from enjoying a standard circulatory path through their heart. Most commonly, the problem is a single ventricle defect, where one of your valves or lower chambers (which circulate blood) isn't functioning correctly or is too small to function efficiently.

When is the Glenn procedure performed?

Surgeons do the Glenn heart surgery when a child is 3 to 6 months of age (typically no younger than 2 months of age). Survival chances are optimal when a child undergoes the Glenn surgery three to six months after the initial surgery in the neonatal period (if they have a condition that necessitates that surgery to enhance their circulation).

What does a Glenn procedure treat?

Doctors do a Glenn procedure to fix these heart defects:

• Pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum.
• Tricuspid atresia (the tricuspid valve that failed to develop between chambers).
• Double inlet left or right ventricle.
• Hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
• Unbalanced atrioventricular canal defects.

Certain types of congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (pulmonary artery and aorta in the improper location, and the valves and ventricles are attached abnormally).

What occurs before a Glenn procedure?

Most often, individuals who undergo a Glenn cardiac operation have previously undergone a Blalock-Taussig (BT) shunt or a pulmonary artery band. The Glenn operation is frequently the second step in enhancing circulation in a single-functioning atrioventricular valve or ventricle (pumping chamber) heart.

Before surgery, your child's doctor will want to:

• Perform a cardiac catheterization or heart MRI to examine your child's anatomy.
• Learn about your child's medicines (including over-the-counter drugs and supplements they are taking).

What is done during a Glenn heart surgery?

A Glenn procedure lasts approximately four hours. But it may take longer or shorter, depending on circumstances. Your child's care team will let you know as frequently as possible.

During a Glenn operation, your child will be asleep deeply (with general anesthesia). They will not feel or remember anything. A few kids require a cardiopulmonary bypass machine to perform the job of their heart and lungs, but that is not always necessary. Next, your child's surgeon will deal with any complications from earlier surgeries and attach your child's superior vena cava to their right or left pulmonary artery. They can also correct any other issues with your child's heart while they are open.

What follows a Glenn procedure?

It's natural to be apprehensive when your baby is on tubes and monitors, as they might be having a Glenn procedure. Your baby's surgical team will keep a close eye on them for some time in the Intensive Care Unit and it could be weeks before they're themselves again.

Not everyone who undergoes a Glenn procedure for a problem with a single ventricle will require a Fontan procedure later. Even if they must have a Fontan procedure, this will introduce different systems for delivering oxygen from your child's lungs into their bloodstream and blood-rich in oxygen to their body.

How long is the Glenn procedure?

A Glenn procedure may take until your child is ready for the subsequent surgery. Most children must have a Fontan procedure, the second surgery following a Glenn operation after they can walk. This activity worsens their low oxygen levels.

What are the benefits of a Glenn procedure?

The advantages of a Glenn procedure are:

• Easing the workload for the single-functioning ventricle.
• Preventing the overly worked ventricle from enlarging.
• Making it easier to perform the subsequent operation in the series (the Fontan procedure).
• Enhancing survival in individuals who proceed to undergo a Fontan procedure.
• Offering a second choice for individuals who cannot or will not undergo a Fontan procedure.

What are the Risks or complications of a Glenn procedure?

The complications of a Glenn procedure is approximately 30% of, including:

• Low oxygen level.
• High blood pressure.
• New neurologic deficit.
• Pleural effusions (excess fluid beyond your child's lungs).
• Emergency cardiac catheterization.
• Feeding difficulty requires the insertion of a feeding tube.
• Reoperation requirement.
• Cardiac arrest.

How long is the recovery?

Your child will be required to stay in the Intensive Care Unit for approximately three days. Then they'll need several additional days in a standard hospital room before going home.

What is the survival rate after a bidirectional Glenn procedure?

The survival rate of the Glenn procedure is around 99%.

When does my child need to visit their healthcare provider?

Your child will need to follow up regularly with their provider. Before discharge from the hospital, you will have an initial appointment with your cardiologist (heart doctor).

After you bring your child home from the hospital, call their provider if your child:

• Has a fever.
• Has blood or other fluid leaking out of their chest incision.
• Is having trouble feeding.
• Difficulty gaining weight.

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

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital is known for its safe and successful Glenn Procedure in Lucknow, India. With our Experienced Pediatric Cardiac Surgeons, modern technology, and dedicated care, the hospital ensures the best outcomes. Patients receive complete support before and after surgery, making it a trusted choice for heart valve treatments.

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

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

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