[Impact of fenestration on early outcome in patients undergoing modified Fontan operation]

To compare the impact of fenestration on early outcome in patients undergoing modified Fontan operation.

Data from 90 consecutive patients underwent modified Fontan operation from November 2008 to June 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into fenestrated group (49 patients) and non-fenestrated group (41 patients) and early outcome post operation was compared between the two groups.

Anatomy, age, gender, body weight and disease classifications were similar between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Postoperative central venous pressure was (11.4 ± 4.1) mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) in fenestrated group and (12.1 ± 3.8) mmHg in non-fenestrated group (P = 0.894). The duration of chest tube drainage was (11.1 ± 9.2) day in fenestrated group and (15.0 ± 10.7) day in non-fenestrated group (P = 0.160). Volume of pleural drainage was 772.0 (411.5-1 971.5) ml in fenestrated group and 1 259.0 (571.0-2 647.5) ml in non-fenestrated group (P = 0.214). Duration of ICU stay was 24.0 (18.0-40.0) day in fenestrated group and 24.0 (19.0-36.0) day in non-fenestrated group (P = 0.751). The time of respirator use was 9.0 (6.0-15.0) hours in fenestrated group and 8.0 (6.0-16.0) hours in non-fenestrated group (P = 0.951). Duration of hospital stay was significantly longer in fenestrated group than in non-fenestrated group ((32.7 ± 23.0) day vs. (27.8 ± 12.6) day, P = 0.025). One patient (2.0%) died of low cardiac output syndrome in fenestrated group and 1 patient (2.4%) experienced hydropericardium in non-fenestrated group. The incidence rate of complications (P = 0.898) and mortality (P = 1.000) were similar between the two groups.

Early outcome is similar for patients undergoing the modified Fontan operation with or without fenestration.