Background: Children with pulmonary atresia and an intact ventricular septum show a heterogeneous spectrum of cardiac anomalies. A biventricular repair is attainable in some; a Fontan procedure or a one-and-a-half ventricle is the only possible repair for others. Children with right ventricle-to-coronary artery connections, with or without right ventricle-dependent coronary artery blood flow, are a high-risk group.
Methods: Between May 1980 and December 1994, 22 children underwent a Fontan operation for the treatment of pulmonary atresia with an intact ventricular septum at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto. The mean age was 5.8 years (median, 4.9 years). All children had had at least one pre-Fontan palliative procedure; 19 had two, and 7 of these had three or more. Right ventricle-to-coronary artery connections were present in 15 children, including 5 with right ventricle-dependent coronary artery blood flow. Thromboexclusion of the right ventricle was done in 10 children, with 7 undergoing it before and 3 at the time of the Fontan procedure.
Results: There were three early deaths (13.6%) and one late death. The actuarial survival at 10 years after the Fontan operation was 80%. Early postoperative complications occurred in 4 children. Follow-up was completed in all children at a mean of 4 years (range, 1 to 12.5 years) after the Fontan operation. Atrial arrhythmia occurred in 3 children, and permanent pacemakers were required in 4.
Conclusions: Results of the Fontan operation for the treatment of pulmonary atresia with an intact ventricular septum are satisfactory. Thromboexclusion of the right ventricle is indicated in the presence of right ventricle-to-coronary artery connections without right ventricle-dependent coronary artery blood flow. The right ventricle should not be decompressed or thromboexcluded in children with right ventricle-dependent coronary artery blood flow, and at the Fontan operation, saturated blood must enter the right ventricle.