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Life Kingsbury Hospital is a trusted healthcare provider for Fontan Procedure, offering complex congenital heart surgery supported by experienced pediatric cardiac surgeons, specialised operating facilities, and multidisciplinary cardiovascular care. Established in 1918, the accredited hospital is situated in Cape Town, South Africa and has 212 beds.
The Fontan Procedure is generally the final stage of a staged surgical pathway for patients with single-ventricle heart defects. It redirects blood from the superior and inferior vena cava directly into the pulmonary arteries, reducing the workload on the functional ventricle and improving circulatory efficiency. Before surgery, the cardiac team evaluates ventricular function, pulmonary artery anatomy, heart rhythm, oxygen levels, and other factors that may influence suitability for Fontan circulation.
Johannesburg, South Africa
Lenmed Ahmed Kathrada Private Hospital provides specialized Fontan Procedure with a focus on precise surgical reconstruction, advanced congenital cardiac techniques, and individualized postoperative care. Established in 1984, the COHSASA, ISQua accredited hospital is located in Johannesburg, South Africa and operates 254 beds, with modern pediatric cardiac surgical and critical-care infrastructure.
The Fontan Procedure can establish a circulation in which systemic venous blood flows directly to the lungs without being pumped by a ventricle. By reducing the volume load on the functional ventricle, the procedure can improve oxygenation and support circulation in appropriately selected patients with single-ventricle physiology. A detailed assessment before surgery helps the cardiac team determine the patient's readiness for Fontan completion and plan the most suitable surgical technique.
Durban, South Africa
Choosing Lenmed Ethekwini Hospital and Heart Centre for Fontan Procedure gives patients access to experienced congenital cardiac surgeons, advanced cardiovascular imaging, pediatric intensive care facilities, and structured postoperative management. Established in 2002, the accredited hospital in Durban, South Africa has 353 beds and provides specialised congenital and cardiothoracic surgical services.
The Fontan Procedure is performed under general anaesthesia and involves rerouting venous blood directly to the pulmonary arteries. Different surgical approaches may be used depending on the patient's anatomy, including an extracardiac conduit or lateral tunnel technique. After surgery, patients are closely monitored for circulation, oxygenation, heart rhythm, fluid balance, and other potential complications. Long-term follow-up is important because Fontan circulation requires ongoing cardiac assessment throughout life.
Mr. Hailu Kassa underwent Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery in Vejthani Hospital, Thailand under the supervision of Dr. Piya, Cardio-Thoracic Surgeon
Patient Testimonial: Rod Schaubroeck from United States (U.S.A) underwent heart valve replacement at Fortis Hospital, India
| Speciality | Cardiac Sciences |
| Procedure | Fontan Procedure |
| Success Rate | 90-95% |
| Recovery Time | Few days |
| Treatment Time | 5-6 hours |
| Chances of Recurrence | 5% |
The Fontan procedure is a complex surgery that is typically performed to treat congenital heart defects that result in a single functional ventricle in the heart. The Fontan procedure is usually followed by another surgical intervention known as the Glenn procedure. During the surgery, oxygen-poor blood is rerouted to go to the pulmonary artery from the lower body instead of going through the heart. This helps improve oxygenation and circulation in the body.
The Fontan procedure is used to treat congenital heart defects such as tricuspid atresia, hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), pulmonary atresia, and other conditions where the heart has only one functional pumping chamber.
Recovery after the Fontan procedure is usually challenging. The hospital stay lasts from 1 to 2 weeks. Initially, patients may be kept on medications to support heart function and prevent complications. Physical activity and movement are gradually increased under medical supervision. Regular follow-up visits are scheduled to monitor the heart's function and overall health. Long-term care and management are crucial to ensuring the best possible outcomes and quality of life for the patient. Rehabilitation is suggested by the team of healthcare experts.
There are several factors for ranking the hospitals on the basis of the procedure. The following factors are used to rank hospitals in South Africa that perform Fontan Procedures- Infrastructure, Availability of the Procedure, Popularity for the procedure, Technology Used, Qualified & Experienced Specialists, Cost, Facilities provided, Success Rate
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Many people have started traveling to South Africa for Fontan Procedure due to the country’s modern healthcare infrastructure and high success rate. Fontan Procedure is the best option when it comes to South Africa for a variety of reasons including:
Depending on the patient's health and the complexity of the treatment, different procedures have different recovery times. Other factors like continuously taking rehab sessions and enrolling in postoperative care sessions also greatly impact the recovery time of the patient. To speed up recovery, it is advised that the patient maintain regular contact with their surgeon for a few months after surgery.