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When a person only has one functioning cardiac ventricle, a Fontan operation can help with circulation. This issue arises from one of several congenital heart disorders (heart disorders present from birth).
Through the Fontan surgery, blood with low oxygen content from the lower body can receive oxygen directly from your heart and travel straight to your pulmonary artery and lungs. This treatment typically comes after another one called the Glenn procedure, which is used to transfer blood with low oxygen content from your upper body to your lungs and pulmonary artery.
| Country | Cost | Local_currency |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | USD 18000 | 14220 |
| Turkey | USD 13796 - 16829 | 415811 - 507226 |
| Spain | USD 10200 - 12000 | 9384 - 11040 |
| United States | USD 12082 - 16157 | 12082 - 16157 |
| Singapore | USD 18000 | 24120 |
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Fontan procedure is a surgery for individuals born with only one functioning heart ventricle. Following the surgery, the pulmonary artery is the only blood vessel that receives oxygen-poor blood from the body, bypassing the heart chambers. Most patients live for 30 years or more following the surgery.
Children aged 2 to 15 (generally between 3 and 5) with a single ventricle condition may need a Fontan procedure. However, it’s not suitable for everyone. A healthcare provider will determine if your child is a good candidate by ensuring their working ventricle is strong enough to pump effectively and their lungs are healthy enough to handle passive blood flow.
Following are the different types of Fonton Procedures:
The Fontan procedure is palliative surgery for the hearts of children with complex congenital heart defects where one ventricle is functional. Examples include tricuspid atresia, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, and other single-ventricle conditions. It redirects venous blood flow to the pulmonary artery, bypassing the heart, to improve blood oxygenation and decrease the workload on a single ventricle.
Single-ventricle physiology is usually diagnosed shortly after birth or during fetal screening. Parents should consult a pediatric cardiologist early so the child can be monitored and a plan for surgery can be developed. Poor weight gain, bluish discolouration of the skin (cyanosis), extreme tiredness, and difficulty breathing are some symptoms that require immediate review.
Preparation includes complete preoperative evaluation with echocardiography, cardiac catheterisation, and blood tests. The child may even have had staged operations (such as Norwood, Glenn) before Fontan. They will be instructed about medications, nutritional support, and measures to prevent infections before surgery.
Under general anesthesia, the surgeons connect the inferior vena cava (which carries deoxygenated blood from the lower part of the body) directly to the pulmonary artery, facilitating passive blood flow to the lungs. This can be done either via a lateral tunnel or an extracardiac conduit. The heart-lung machine is used during surgery.
The complexity of the Fontan operation largely depends on the state of the child and the surgery itself. Hence, it usually takes 4 to 6 hours to perform. Variations in surgical time may occur if preceding operations have been performed or if any complications arise.
Fontan greatly increases oxygenation, resulting in its sky-high appeal in cases of single ventricular defects, where cyanosis is a serious drawback.
Patients spend 1 to 2 days in the ICU, followed by 1 to 2 weeks of hospitalisation. Blood thinners and other medicines to maintain fluid balance and heart functioning usually continue at home. Follow-ups include regular cardiac imaging, lab monitoring, and advice on activities.
The Fontan procedure achieves a survival rate of over 90% for well-selected patients, especially with the introduction of advanced surgical techniques and postoperative care. Long-term survival into adulthood is possible, but lifelong follow-up under an adult cardiologist is necessary.
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