Fontan Conversion Cost in India

The cost of Fontan conversion surgery in India typically ranges from $1,500 to $7,000 USD, depending on the hospital, city, and type of procedure.

Fontan conversion is a repeat operation for people who had an older type of Fontan operation, usually years earlier. It changes the circulation to a newer type and often includes surgery for heart rhythm problems. The cost usually depends on:

• Complexity: repeat open-heart surgery in an adult or teenager.
• Arrhythmia surgery: maze procedure or ablation.
• Pacemaker: sometimes needed.
• Intensive care and hospital stay: which can be prolonged.

Fontan conversion is a complex redo operation. Ask what the quote covers, including intensive care and any pacemaker.

A single-centre Korean study of 21 patients (published in PubMed Central) explains that older atriopulmonary Fontan connections can lead to:

• Enlarged right atrium: the upper chamber stretches over time.
• Atrial arrhythmias: irregular heart rhythms.
• Clots in the atrium: which can travel to the lungs.
• Protein-losing enteropathy: loss of protein through the gut.

In that study, conversion took place a median of 13.8 years after the original Fontan.

In the study, most patients had the older connection changed to an extracardiac conduit, a tube that carries blood from the lower body directly to the lungs.

Some patients also had arrhythmia surgery, such as a maze procedure or ablation, and some needed a pacemaker.

The Korean study reported no deaths at the time of surgery, and survival of 92.3% at 5 years and 83.1% at 10 years. Arrhythmia returned in 6 of 21 patients, and conversion did not appear to improve protein-losing enteropathy.

The authors note that this was a small study. Lifelong follow-up with an adult congenital heart team is needed.