Home / Health / Minimally Invasive Fontan Procedure Developed
Minimally Invasive Fontan Procedure Developed
6 Oct
Summary
- Catheter-based Fontan procedure avoids major open-heart surgery.
- Percutaneous method offers local anesthesia and no ICU stay.
- 50 successful Fontan pathway procedures have been completed.
For children born with single-ventricle heart defects, the Fontan procedure is often the final treatment stage. Traditionally, this involved multiple major surgeries. However, Apollo's pediatric cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery teams have pioneered a new technique.
This refined approach completes the Fontan pathway using catheters, wires, and stents inserted through blood vessels. First performed in 2023, this percutaneous procedure requires careful patient selection. It offers benefits such as local anesthesia and no intensive care unit stay, enabling a faster return home.
The hospital has now successfully performed 50 Fontan pathway procedures. This milestone aims to lessen the impact of extensive treatments on children. The initiative provides renewed hope for these young patients and their families.
