Tetralogy of Fallot Repair
What is Tetralogy of Fallot ?
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Why do you need Tetralogy of Fallot?
Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart condition involving four defects:
- Ventricular septal defect (VSD): A hole between the heart’s lower chambers.
- Pulmonary stenosis: Narrowing of the pulmonary valve or artery, obstructing blood flow to the lungs.
- Right ventricular hypertrophy: Thickening of the right ventricle due to increased workload.
- Overriding aorta: The aorta is positioned over both ventricles, receiving mixed blood.
TOF causes cyanosis (bluish skin due to low oxygen), shortness of breath, and poor growth in infants and children. Repair is indicated to:
- Close the VSD and relieve pulmonary stenosis.
- Improve oxygenation and heart function.
- Prevent complications like heart failure, arrhythmias, or stroke.
Why Do Tetralogy of Fallot Costs Vary in Philippines?
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Tetralogy of Fallot Procedure
The procedure is tailored to the patient’s age, anatomy, and severity of defects:
- Before Surgery Evaluation:
- Diagnosis is confirmed via echocardiogram, which visualizes the four defects and assesses heart function.
- Cardiac catheterization or MRI/CT may map blood vessels and pulmonary artery anatomy.
- Blood tests, chest X-rays, and ECG evaluate overall health and surgical fitness.
- Infants with severe cyanosis may undergo a temporary shunt procedure (e.g., Blalock-Taussig shunt) to improve oxygen levels until full repair is feasible.
- Surgical Technique:
- Open-Heart Surgery (Complete Intracardiac Repair):
- Performed under general anesthesia, lasting 4–6 hours.
- A median sternotomy (chest bone incision) provides access to the heart.
- The patient is connected to a heart-lung bypass machine to maintain circulation.
- The surgeon:
- Closes the VSD with a synthetic patch (e.g., Dacron).
- Relieves pulmonary stenosis by widening the pulmonary valve or artery, sometimes removing obstructive muscle or placing a patch.
- Adjusts the overriding aorta indirectly by correcting the VSD and outflow tract.
- In complex cases, a transannular patch or conduit may be used to reconstruct the pulmonary artery.
- Minimally Invasive Approaches:
- Rarely used for TOF repair due to the complexity of the defects, but limited thoracotomy or robotic-assisted techniques may be explored in select cases at advanced centers.
- Open-Heart Surgery (Complete Intracardiac Repair):
- After Surgery:
- Patients are monitored in the pediatric ICU for 1–3 days, with mechanical ventilation initially if needed.
- Hospital stay lasts 5–10 days, depending on recovery and complications.
- Echocardiograms and ECGs confirm proper heart function and VSD closure.
- Medications (e.g., diuretics, antiarrhythmics) manage fluid retention or heart rhythm issues.
Recovery After Tetralogy of Fallot
Recovery depends on the child’s age, surgical complexity, and overall health:
- Hospital Stay:
- Most patients stay 5–10 days, including 1–3 days in the pediatric ICU.
- Infants with complex repairs or complications may require longer stays.
- Post-Surgery Care:
- Pain is managed with medications (e.g., paracetamol, opioids initially).
- Patients are monitored for arrhythmias, residual VSD leaks, or pulmonary valve issues via echocardiograms and ECGs.
- Diuretics (e.g., furosemide) manage fluid buildup; antibiotics prevent infection.
- Temporary oxygen support or inotropes may be needed for heart function.
- Activity and Diet:
- Light activities (e.g., sitting, walking) resume within weeks; strenuous activities (e.g., sports) are avoided for 3–6 months.
- Infants and children return to normal feeding (breast milk, formula, or solids) as tolerated, with a focus on weight gain.
- Parents are counseled on wound care and activity restrictions.
- Follow-Up:
- Follow-up visits at 1, 3, and 6 months include echocardiograms, ECGs, and growth assessments.
- Lifelong cardiology follow-ups (annually or as advised) monitor pulmonary valve function, heart rhythm, and residual defects.
- Endocarditis prophylaxis (antibiotics before dental procedures) is recommended.
Most children resume normal activities within 3–6 months, with significant improvements in growth, energy, and oxygenation. Survival rates are 95–98% at one year and 90–95% at 10 years, with most patients leading near-normal lives.
Risks and Complications
TOF repair is a complex surgery with potential risks:
- Surgical Risks:
- Bleeding, infection, or adverse reactions to anesthesia.
- Injury to nearby structures (e.g., coronary arteries, conduction system).
- Cardiac Complications:
- Arrhythmias (e.g., ventricular tachycardia), requiring medication or pacemaker placement.
- Residual VSD leaks or pulmonary stenosis, potentially needing re-intervention.
- Pulmonary regurgitation (leaky valve), common after transannular patching, which may require valve replacement in adulthood.
- General Risks:
- Pneumonia or pleural effusion (fluid around lungs), preventable with breathing exercises.
- Blood clots, requiring anticoagulants in some cases.
- Long-Term Issues:
- Right ventricular dysfunction due to chronic pulmonary regurgitation or hypertrophy.
- Rarely, sudden cardiac death in patients with untreated arrhythmias.
Prompt reporting of symptoms like fever, fatigue, or irregular heartbeats ensures timely management.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What causes Tetralogy of Fallot?
TOF is a congenital defect, often linked to genetic factors (e.g., Down syndrome, DiGeorge syndrome) or environmental exposures during pregnancy.
Can TOF be treated without surgery?
No, surgery is required for long-term survival. Temporary shunts may delay full repair in infants with severe symptoms.
What is the best age for TOF repair?
Repair is typically performed at 6 months to 2 years, balancing surgical risks and symptom severity. Earlier surgery may be needed for severe cyanosis.
How soon can my child resume normal activities?
Light activities resume in 4–6 weeks; sports or strenuous play take 3–6 months, guided by the cardiologist.
Is TOF repair covered by insurance in India?
Most insurance plans cover TOF repair as a medically necessary procedure. Confirm with your provider.
What are the signs of complications post-repair?
Fever, fatigue, swelling, irregular heartbeats, or breathing difficulties require immediate medical attention.
Will my child need more surgeries after TOF repair?
Most children need only one repair, but some require pulmonary valve replacement in adolescence or adulthood due to regurgitation.
Can adults with unrepaired TOF undergo surgery?
Yes, adults with unrepaired TOF can undergo repair at specialized centers, though risks are higher due to chronic heart strain.
Conclusion
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Looking for Best Hospitals for Tetralogy of Fallot
Note: we are not promoting any hospitals
We do not promote any hospitals. All details are sourced from Google and hospital websites. Please verify independently. Start with your surgery—here’s the list of government, budget, and superspecialty hospitals accredited by the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Joint Commission International (JCI)
- click on your city and schedule your surgery now done in good hands.
| City | Minimum Price (₱) | Maximum Price (₱) |
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Angeles City |
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Antipolo |
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Bacolod |
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Bacoor |
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Baguio |
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Butuan |
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Cagayan de Oro |
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Caloocan |
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Cebu City |
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Dasmariñas |
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Davao City |
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General Santos |
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General Trias |
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Iligan |
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Iloilo City |
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Las Piñas |
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Makati |
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Malolos |
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Manila |
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Muntinlupa |
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Parañaque |
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Pasay |
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Pasig |
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Puerto Princesa |
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Quezon City |
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San Fernando |
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San Jose del Monte |
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Taguig |
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Valenzuela |
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Zamboanga City |
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Disclaimer
This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.