The Fontan operation: experience at Siriraj Hospital

Seventy five patients underwent modified Fontan operation at Siriraj Hospital from October 1987 to December 1998. Cardiology data was analyzed retrospectively. Four patients' data was unavailable. Median age at operation was 9.7 (1.8-34) years old. Tricuspid atresia accounted for 38 per cent of the patients. Ten patients (14.1%) died in the acute post operative period due to consequence of low cardiac output. Another 3 patients (4.2%) expired in the intermediate and late post operative period. Age at operation, pulmonary artery size, pre-operative oxygen saturation, and mean pre-operative pulmonary artery pressure were not different between those who survived and those who died. Abnormal pulmonary vein, atrioventricular valve regurgitation, and underlying ventricular morphology statistically affected the acute survival of modified Fontan operation. Intraoperative aortic cross clamp time, and post operative mean pulmonary artery pressure on day 0, 1 and 2 post operation were found statistically shorter and lower in the survival group. Survival rate at 5 years was 83 per cent. Modified Fontan operation is the final palliative operation of choice for low risk single ventricle physiology in our institution with acceptable outcome. Thorough pre-operative hemodynamic and anatomic studies and staging modified Fontan procedure may include a higher number of candidates and improve the outcome of the operation.