An alternative technique for Fontan completion in patients with widely separated connections of the inferior systemic veins to the atrial mass

Cardiol Young. 2017 Mar;27(2):398-401. doi: 10.1017/S1047951116001311. Epub 2016 Aug 30.

Abstract

Several surgical approaches for completion of a total cavopulmonary connection have been established for patients with anomalies of systemic venous connection in association with a functionally univentricular heart. We report an alternative technique designed to address the problem of widely separated inferior systemic veins, in which two extracardiac conduits were used. This technique was performed on three patients and yielded excellent short-term results, allowing us to operate on a beating heart with no need for cardioplegic arrest and aortic cross-clamping.

Keywords: Fontan completion; atrial isomerism; separated inferior systemic venous drainage.

MeSH terms

  • Anastomosis, Surgical / methods
  • Child, Preschool
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Fontan Procedure / methods*
  • Heart Atria / abnormalities*
  • Heart Atria / surgery
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / diagnosis
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / surgery*
  • Heart Ventricles / abnormalities*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Artery / abnormalities*
  • Pulmonary Artery / surgery
  • Vena Cava, Superior / surgery*