title: Fontan Operation: Indications, Short and Long Term Outcomes.
abstract: Fontan operation, since its original description, has undergone a number of modifications so that it is now a staged, total cavo-pulmonary connection with fenestration. Stage I is palliation, depending upon the pathophysiology of the defect complex in early life, Stage II is bidirectional Glenn at about the age of 6 mo and Stage III is transfer of inferior vena caval blood to the pulmonary circuit along with fenestration between 2 to 4 y. Any patient that has only one functioning ventricle is a candidate for Fontan surgery. The morbidity and mortality have remarkably improved since the institution of staged, total cavo-pulmonary connection with fenestration. Complications during follow up continue to occur, though diminished with the newer modifications, and should be promptly addressed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, The University of Texas-Houston Medical School/Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, 6410 Fannin Street, UTPB Suite # 425, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. P.Syamasundar.Rao@uth.tmc.edu.
authors.forename: P Syamasundar
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods; D018376:Cardiovascular Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D018729:Fontan Procedure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*
keywords: Bidirectional Glenn; Fenestration; Fontan operation; Hypoplastic left heart syndrome; Single ventricle; Total cavo-pulmonary connection; Tricuspid atresia