Fontan procedure aftercare information sheet

Contact

Cardiac Inpatient Unit

Phone: (02) 7825 4668

Location: Level 9, Wattle Building, The Children's Hospital at Westmead

Read more about cardiac wards

Introduction

This information sheet is about aftercare. The Fontan procedure is a type of heart surgery. 

After surgery

Your child will most likely be admitted to the Cardiac Inpatient Unit after a Fontan procedure. They will spend a couple of days in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) before being transferred to the cardiac unit. 

Chest drains

  • Your child will be transferred to the ward with surgical chest tubes that were inserted during their operation.
  • These will remain until the amount of fluid draining out of them has reduced to a safe amount.
  • This is guided by the cardiothoracic team.

Oxygen

  • Your child will need to wear oxygen nasal prongs until the chest drains are removed.
  • They can be removed if your child is out of bed, going to the toilet, playing or off the ward.
  • When your child is in bed they will need to continue wearing the nasal prongs.

Diet

After the procedure, your child will need to be on a low fat diet for a few weeks. This is called a medium chain triglyceride (MCT) diet and reduces the risk of complications such as increased fluid draining from the chest.

  • A dietitian will come and see you after surgery to discuss food choices.
  • The hospital will provide appropriate low fat meals for your child.
  • You may also like to come prepared with appropriate snacks.
  • Please read the attached handout on the low fat (MCT) diet for acceptable foods and snacks and those to avoid. 

Drinking fluids

After your child’s operation, they will only be allowed to drink a certain amount each day until the chest drains are removed. Your nurse will let you know how much is needed. 

  • your child should not drink more than 200ml of plain water.
  • high protein drinks such as MCT milkshakes and fruit juice are best.
  • the dietitian will be available to advise you. 

It is important that fluid restriction is followed to prevent any complications as these can delay the removal of chest drains and prolong your child’s hospital stay.  

Moving and playing

Your child will be encouraged to move around and play from day 2 post surgery. 

  • This is good for recovery and helps prevent complications.
  • Your child will be seen by a physiotherapist and given daily exercises that will help recovery.
  • The physiotherapist will also guide you about the amount of activity. 

Leaving the hospital

Your child will be reviewed by doctors every morning after their operation once they are on the cardiac ward. 

  • Their progress will also be monitored by the cardiac team and they will let you know when you can go home.
  • On the day of discharge, you will be given information that tells you what to do if you are worried, who to contact and when your child’s next follow up appointment will be. 

At discharge you may find that the medications your child usually takes have changed. You will be told any changes before you leave hospital and any new medications your child will need to take.