Open Heart Surgery

Advanced Fontan Procedure Package for Single-Ventricle Congenital Heart Defects

The Fontan operation is a life-transforming palliative surgery specially designed for children and young patients born with complex congenital heart conditions such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), tricuspid atresia, double inlet left ventricle, or other single-ventricle physiologies. This final-stage procedure completes the series of staged surgeries by redirecting oxygen-poor blood directly from the inferior vena cava to the pulmonary arteries, bypassing the heart and allowing the single functional ventricle to pump only oxygen-rich blood to the body.

What’s Included in Our Comprehensive Fontan Procedure Package
– Complete pre-operative assessment: echocardiography, cardiac MRI/CT, diagnostic catheterization, and multidisciplinary team review
– Latest modifications of the Fontan technique (extracardiac conduit or lateral tunnel) using high-quality Gore-Tex® grafts tailored to the child’s size
– Performed under general anesthesia with advanced intraoperative monitoring (TEE, cerebral oximetry)
– State-of-the-art paediatric cardiac ICU with 1:1 nursing and ECMO backup if required
– Fenestrated Fontan option when needed to reduce early post-operative pressure
– Early extubation and fast-track recovery protocol
– Dedicated paediatric cardiology and cardiothoracic team with decades of single-ventricle experience
– Comprehensive post-operative care including anticoagulation management, chest drainage, and arrhythmia monitoring
– In-hospital paediatric physiotherapy and nutritional support
– Structured long-term follow-up program with regular echo, exercise testing, liver evaluation, and protein-losing enteropathy screening

Key Procedure Details
– Typical age: 2–5 years (after prior Glenn shunt)
– Surgery duration: 4–6 hours
– Hospital stay: 10–14 days (including ICU)
– Cost range: USD 7,000 – 8,000 (all-inclusive: surgery, hospital stay, implants, medications, and initial follow-up)

Most children who undergo the Fontan procedure enjoy significantly improved oxygen levels, reduced heart strain, and the ability to participate in daily activities, school, and moderate exercise with regular cardiology supervision. This landmark operation has revolutionized survival and quality of life for single-ventricle patients.