NE HEALTH BUREAU
CHENNAI, AUG 27
Apollo Children’s Hospital on Tuesday announced it has marked a groundbreaking milestone in pediatric cardiac care by successfully performing the Fontan procedure without surgical intervention. This achievement, led by Dr. Neville AG Solomon, Head of the Cardiac Department, and Dr. CS Muthukumaran, Head of Interventional Cardiology, represents a significant leap forward in treating complex heart conditions in children.
- Fontan procedure offers new hope for children with complex cardiac conditions
- This breakthrough offers a lifeline for children with single-ventricle heart defects: Dr. CS Muthukumaran, Paediatric Cardiologist
- Patients can now be discharged within 2-3 days, dramatically reducing recovery time
With a track record of over 6,500 open-heart surgeries and 10,133 interventional procedures, Apollo Children’s Hospital has established itself as a leader in pediatric cardiac care. The hospital’s Interventional Cardiology Division, under Dr. Muthukumaran’s guidance, has become India’s largest center for advanced procedures such as ductal stenting in infants as small as 1.2 kg and VSD device closures for babies weighing just 4 kg.
Dr. Neville AG Solomon, Paediatric Cardiac Surgeon, Apollo Children’s Hospital said, “Our holistic approach at Apollo Children’s Hospital combines surgical and interventional expertise to provide optimal treatment for children with complex heart conditions. This non-surgical Fontan procedure exemplifies our commitment to innovative, patient-centered car”
Dr. CS Muthukumaran, Paediatric Cardiologist, Apollo Children’s Hospital said, “This breakthrough offers a lifeline for children with single-ventricle heart defects. Patients can now be discharged within 2-3 days, dramatically reducing recovery time. The success of this procedure is a testament to our team’s dedication and meticulous planning. so far we completed 12 non-surgical Fontan procedure with 100% success and the longest follow-up is 2 years.”
Dr Muthukumaran further said that most of the Fontan surgeries were done either under the state-sponsored health insurance scheme or through charities.
Congratulating the Paediatric Cardiology team, Ms Suneeta Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Group of Hospitals said, “Apollo Children’s Hospital Chennai, continues to advance pediatric cardiac care through its blend of cutting-edge technology and expert medical professionals. The successful implementation of the non-surgical Fontan procedure marks a new chapter in cardiac care for children worldwide,” she added.
Ms Suneeta Reddy also congratulated the children who were recovered after Fontan procedure along with the team of Department of Paediatric Cordiology, Apollo Children’s Hospital.
Dr R K Venkatachalam, Director of Medical Services, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai welcomed the gathering.
