Glenn procedure Cost in India

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

The Glenn procedure, also called a bidirectional cavopulmonary connection, is usually the second stage of surgery for children with a single ventricle heart. The cost usually depends on:

• Pre-operative imaging: such as MRI or catheterisation.
• Intensive care and hospital stay: after surgery.
• Removal of an earlier shunt: done during the same operation.
• Follow-up: before the next stage, the Fontan.

The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne explains that the Glenn connects the veins that carry blood from the upper body directly to the lung arteries. Blood from the head and arms then reaches the lungs without passing through the heart.

This reduces the workload on the single pumping chamber and makes the circulation more stable.

According to the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, the Glenn is usually done at around 3 months of age, after an MRI scan to check the heart and blood vessels.

Any earlier shunt is usually taken down during the operation. The surgery is done on a heart-lung bypass machine.

Children usually remain somewhat blue after the Glenn, because blood from the lower body still returns to the heart without passing through the lungs.

The Fontan operation is usually done later, often at around 4 to 5 years, to complete the staged circulation. Regular follow-up continues between operations.