Fontan Procedure Treatment in India
About Fontan Procedure
Key Highlights
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Palliative surgery that enables long-term survival for children with single-ventricle heart defects.Separates oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood, improving systemic oxygen saturation.Reduces the workload on the single functional ventricle, improving heart efficiency.Typically the final planned stage in a series of surgeries (e.g., Norwood, Glenn).Allows for improved growth, development, and quality of life.
Who is this surgery for?
- Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS).
- Tricuspid Atresia.
- Double-Inlet Left Ventricle (DILV).
- Other complex congenital heart defects resulting in single-ventricle physiology.
- Patients who have successfully undergone prior palliative surgeries like the bidirectional Glenn procedure.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive pre-operative evaluation including echocardiogram, cardiac catheterization, and MRI to assess anatomy and pressures.
- Optimization of the child's nutritional status and overall health.
- Management of any concurrent infections or illnesses.
- Pre-operative blood tests and imaging.
- Detailed discussion with the cardiac surgery team about the procedure, risks, and expected outcomes.
- Fasting as instructed prior to surgery.
Risks & possible complications
- Bleeding, infection, or reaction to anesthesia.
- Blood clots leading to stroke or pulmonary embolism.
- Persistent pleural effusions (fluid around the lungs) or chylothorax.
- Heart rhythm abnormalities (arrhythmias).
- Fontan failure, where the circulation becomes inefficient over time.
- Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) or plastic bronchitis, serious long-term complications.
- Development of collateral blood vessels.
- Long-term risks of liver dysfunction (Fontan-associated liver disease).
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial recovery in the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (PCICU) for close monitoring of heart function, drainage, and vital signs.
- Management of chest tubes to drain fluid, which may remain for days to weeks.
- Gradual weaning from ventilator support and initiation of feeding.
- Medications to support heart function, prevent clots, and manage fluid balance.
- Physical and occupational therapy to aid in recovery and strength.
- Lifelong follow-up with a pediatric and later adult congenital cardiologist is mandatory.
- Long-term management includes monitoring for late complications, maintaining good hydration, and antibiotic prophylaxis for dental procedures.
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Typical hospital stay:
14-30 days
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Expected recovery time:
3-6 months for initial recovery; lifelong specialized care required
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering fontan procedure in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for fontan procedure in India include Medanta The Medicity, Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, Miot Hospital Chennai, Nanavati Max Hospital, Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform fontan procedure. MediFyr helps you compare cardiac surgeons and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for fontan procedure compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | USD 8,701 – USD 27,192 | 14-30 days | ~ 3-6 months for initial recovery; lifelong specialized care required | Know More |
| Turkey | USD 64,420 – USD 201,313 | 14-30 days | ~ 3-6 months for initial recovery; lifelong specialized care required | Know More |
Top hospitals for Fontan Procedure in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated cardiac surgery teams and experience managing patients undergoing fontan procedure.
Bangalore, India
57 Doctors
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Cardiac surgeons for Fontan Procedure
Explore experienced cardiac surgeons who regularly perform fontan procedure and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 47 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospitals Broadway
- 38 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospitals Broadway
- 17 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Varthur Road
- 11 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospitals Broadway
- 13 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Salt Lake