Fontan Procedure Treatment

Fontan is an open heart surgery procedure, which assists in treating children suffering from single heart ventricle health concern. Its prime objective is to circulate oxygen-depleted blood to the right pulmonary artery instead of heart chambers first. This involves Glenn procedure which sends blood from the artery and lungs. The heart consists of four chambers. The upper chambers are known as atria, whereas the lower chambers are called ventricles.

Fontan Procedure treats heart conditions in children from 3 to 5 years of age. The oxygen blood passes through the pulmonary artery rather than heart chambers. Most people survive for 30 years or more after surgery. If one of the ventricles or heart valves does not work properly before birth, then it is removed with another ventricle which pumps oxygen-poor blood to increase oxygen level and oxygen-rich blood for use. 

Types of Fontan Procedure

This procedure consists of three types. These include the following:

• Lateral tunnel: In this procedure, the lower segment of the pulmonary artery connects with the higher portion of the right atrium.
• Atriopulmonary Connection: It connects the right atrium with pulmonary artery. 
• Extracardiac Fontan: This procedure involves connecting inferior vena cava to pulmonary artery. 

Benefits of Fontan Procedure

The advantages of this procedure are as follows: 

• This procedure helps to improve the life-quality of children suffering from heart problems. 
• It passes oxygen-depleted blood, which helps to improve oxygen level.
• This procedure allows the flow of blood from the lower body directly to the lungs. 

Types of diseases diagnosed through this procedure

Fontan procedure diagnoses different types of diseases. These are as follows:

• Double-Inlet left ventricle
• Severe Ebstein’s anomaly
• Hypoplastic right heart syndrome
• Pulmonary Atresia
• Tricuspid Atresia
• Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
• Unbalanced Atrioventricular Canal defects

Risks and Complications

Short-term Fontan procedure consists of several risks and complications. These may include:

• Heart failure
• Pleural effusions
• Kidney and liver diseases
• Abnormal heart rhythm

The complications of long-term Fontan procedure are as follows:

• Thromboembolism
• Plastic bronchitis
• Fontan-associated liver disease
• Protein-losing neurotherapy

Before Procedure

A healthcare provider performs different tests after deciding that a child is a candidate for Fontan procedure. These are as follows:

• Pulmonary assessment
• Electrocardiogram
• Heart Catheterization
• Transthoracic Echocardiogram
• CT and MRI scan

During Procedure

The following steps needs to be performed during procedure:

• Anesthesia: It is provided by a healthcare professional which makes a child sleepy and pain-free. 
• Connection of IVC to Pulmonary Artery: A surgeon connects IVC to pulmonary artery through a tube called conduit. The oxygen-poor blood passes through an artery which goes through lungs. 
• Create a fenestration: Fenestration allows the blood to flow into the heart. It is a small hole which is attached to conduit. 
• Connecting a child with a machine: The machine is connected with the child’s heart and lungs temporarily. 

After Procedure

A child must spend 2 weeks for recovery after a Fontan procedure. He or she must be taken for close monitoring of the heart. 

After heart monitoring, a child will be taken to a regular hospital room. When it’s time to go home, the instructions can be provided for child’s care.