Fontan Procedure Treatment in Turkey
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 Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for fontan procedure in Turkey include Liv Hospital Ankara, Istinye Üniversitesi Hastanesi Liv, VM Medical Park Pendik Hastanesi, Medical Park Florya, Medical Park Bahçelievler, 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 8,824 – USD 27,575 | 14-30 days | ~ 3-6 months for initial recovery; lifelong specialized care required | Know More |
| Turkey | USD 65,563 – USD 204,885 | 14-30 days | ~ 3-6 months for initial recovery; lifelong specialized care required | Know More |
Top hospitals for Fontan Procedure in Turkey
These partner hospitals in Turkey have dedicated cardiac surgery teams and experience managing patients undergoing fontan procedure.
Instabul, Turkey
140 Doctors
Angel Jones is a 4-year-old girl...
Angel Jones is a 4-year-old girl from a small town in Ohio. She was born with a complex single ventricle heart defect called Tricuspid Atresia. Her parents, a teacher and a mechanic, noticed she would tire easily, turn blue (cyanosis) during play, and struggled to keep up with other children. After her initial palliative surgeries (a Blalock-Taussig shunt as a newborn and a Glenn procedure at 6 months), her cardiologist explained that the next critical step was the Fontan procedure to redirect her deoxygenated blood directly to her lungs, bypassing her heart. This would improve her oxygen levels and energy. Angel underwent the surgery at a major children's hospital. The 8-hour operation was successful, but the first few days in the CICU were tense for her family as she was on a ventilator and medications to support her new circulation. After two weeks in the hospital, she went home. Her recovery was gradual, but within months, her lips and fingers were a healthy pink for the first time. She could now play for longer periods without gasping for air. Emotionally, her parents lived with constant, low-grade anxiety before the surgery, fearing this major operation. Afterward, seeing her vibrant color and newfound stamina brought overwhelming relief and joy, though they know her journey with a single ventricle heart will require lifelong care.
Cardiac surgeons for Fontan Procedure
Explore experienced cardiac surgeons who regularly perform fontan procedure and provide pre- and post-operative care in Turkey.
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