Fontan Procedure Cost in Abu Dhabi

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.

• Arrhythmias
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs)
• Low cardiac output
• Blood clots

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.