The Glenn and Fontan Procedures for Pediatric Patients
The Glenn and Fontan procedures are done to redirect blood flow. The procedure is done because one of the two ventricles cannot pump blood effectively. It may be weak, small or missing altogether. The Glenn and Fontan allow blood to be routed directly to the lungs, leaving the ventricle that is able to work well to pump blood to the body.
Glenn and Fontan Procedures
What Do the Glenn and Fontan Procedures Treat?
Tricuspid atresia
Pulmonary atresia
Severe pulmonic stenosis
Single ventricle
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome |
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Patient Story: Ryan
Ryan's family found great support from the network of heart families that also had a child who had a Fontan procedure at the Children's Sibley Heart Center. |
What are the Glenn and Fontan Procedures?
- Stage II (Glenn Anastomosis)
The main vein that routes oxygen-poor blood from the upper half of the body (superior vena cava) is connected to the pulmonary artery—which then routes blood to the lungs.
- Stage III
The vein that routes oxygen–poor blood from the lower half of the body (inferior vena cava) is connected to the pulmonary artery—which then routes blood to the lungs.
What Should the Glenn and Fontan Procedures do?
After both of the Glenn and Fontan procedures are done, oxygen–poor blood from the body can travel to the lungs for oxygen. In cases where the left ventricle is missing or too small to pump blood, surgeons use these procedures to bypass the right side of the heart and send oxygen–poor blood directly to the lungs. The right ventricle may then be used as the heart’s main pumping chamber, sending oxygen–rich blood to the body.
Why Children’s?
For a Fontan procedure, the surgeon needs to know as much as possible about other heart defects that may be present before surgery. Our specially trained team is experienced in caring for children with a wide variety of congenital heart disease.
Since 2000, surgeons at Children’s have performed more than 204 Fontan procedures with a 98 percent 30-day in-hospital survival rate. Infants who undergo the first of multiple operations in the first few weeks of life have special medical and developmental needs—surgeons and the cardiac team provide continuous care.