Fontan operation for patients with complex anatomy: the intra-atrial conduit technique

World J Pediatr Congenit Heart Surg. 2012 Apr 1;3(2):251-4. doi: 10.1177/2150135111426730.

Abstract

The extracardiac conduit type of total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) is the most common variation of the modified Fontan operation in current use. For patients with some forms of complex anatomy (eg, dextrocardia in situs solitus or asplenia syndrome), we have adopted a different technique: interposition of an intra-atrial conduit between the inferior vena cava (IVC) and the superior vena cava-right pulmonary artery (SVC-RPA) connection. We report our experience with six patients.

Keywords: Fontan operation; asplenia; dextrocardia; heterotaxy syndrome.