Modified Fontan Procedure: Atrial Baffle and Systemic Venous to Pulmonary Artery Anastomotic Techniques

Abstract

Two technical modifications to the modified Fontan procedure are presented. Systemic venous to pulmonary artery continuity is achieved by superior vena cava (SVC) division and end to side anastomosis to the right pulmonary artery (RPA), particularly following a right Blalock shunt, or by RPA division and anastomosis to the SVC, particularly in the presence of RPA stenosis. Intra-atrial partitioning is achieved by a systemic venous baffle rather than a pulmonary venous baffle. This is particularly useful in the presence of left atrioventricular valve atresia, but may be a preferable technique with double-inlet single ventricle or single ventricle with common AV valve. These techniques were applied successfully to 10 of 12 children with various forms of single ventricle, including 5 with left AV valve atresia or stenosis.