Fontan Procedure

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which doctor should I consult for a Fontan procedure?

You should consult a cardiac or heart surgeon for this procedure.

2. How long does the Fontan procedure take?

Starting with administration of anesthesia to completion of the surgery, the total time is approximately 5 hours.

3. What is a Norwood procedure?

It is the first of a series of three surgeries (followed by the Glenn shunt and Fontan procedure), which is used for treating a severe form of congenital heart disease called single ventricle anomaly such as tricuspid atresia, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, hypoplastic right heart syndrome, etc.

4. What is a Glenn Shunt operation?

Sometimes known as "hemi-Fontan", it is the second of a series of three surgeries (following the Norwood procedure and preceding the Fontan procedure), which is used for treating a severe form of congenital heart disease called single ventricle anomaly such as tricuspid atresia, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, etc.

5. What is a fenestration closure after Fontan surgery?

A procedure that closes the hole between your child's heart and the tunnel that takes deoxygenated blood from the body to the lungs for oxygenation. The procedure is carried out in the cardiac catheterization lab.

6. Can the Fontan procedure be done immediately after birth to correct the defect?

No. It has to be done in stages. The pulmonary circulation will not be able to handle the sudden increased blood flowing due to increased resistance which takes a few months after birth to drop.