What Is the Glenn Procedure?
The Glenn process is a sort of open-heart surgical procedure Babies who want this surgical procedure usually have it once they’re 4–6 months outdated.
Why Is the Glenn Procedure Done?
The Glenn process is completed for kids who’re born with coronary heart issues like hypoplastic left coronary heart syndrome (HLHS), tricuspid atresia, and double outlet proper ventricle.
Depending on the guts downside, kids may have the Norwood process earlier than the Glenn surgical procedure.
What Does the Glenn Procedure Do?
Normally, the appropriate ventricle pumps blood to the lungs to get oxygen, and the left ventricle pumps the blood with oxygen to the physique. But in some sorts of coronary heart issues, referred to as single ventricle defects, one ventricle is just too small, so the opposite ventricle not solely pumps blood to the lungs, but additionally to the physique.
The Glenn process sends blood from the higher physique on to the lungs. This means, the only ventricle solely has to pump blood to the physique (and to not the lungs), so it doesn’t need to work as onerous.
What Happens During the Glenn Procedure?
During the Glenn process, the surgeon disconnects the superior vena cava (SVC) from the guts and connects it to the pulmonary artery. Now the blood from the higher a part of the physique flows straight into the pulmonary artery. The pulmonary artery takes the blood to the lungs.
If the newborn had the Norwood process, the surgeon will take away the shunt that was positioned then.
What Happens After the Glenn Procedure?
Babies who’ve the Glenn process often spend 1 to 2 weeks within the hospital to recuperate. They get-around-the-clock care and monitoring. They additionally get medicines to assist the guts and enhance blood stream. They will maintain taking a few of these medicines at dwelling.
During this time, the care workforce teaches dad and mom how you can care for his or her child at dwelling. Babies often can go dwelling when they’re feeding properly, rising properly, and gaining weight.
Depending on the guts downside, a toddler would possibly want one other surgical procedure, the Fontan process, once they’re round 18–36 months outdated.
Many kids thrive and do properly after coronary heart surgical procedure. They’ll have to see a heart specialist frequently, and get EKGs, echocardiograms, lab checks, and occasional cardiac catheterizations. A cardiac catheterization is a process that lets cardiologists test how the guts is working and do some sorts of remedies.
How Can Parents Help?
At dwelling together with your child, observe the care workforce’s directions about:
- giving any medicines
- feeding your child
- checking your child’s weight
- checking oxygen ranges with a pulse-oximeter
- going to follow-up physician visits
When Should I Call the Doctor?
Call the care workforce instantly in case your child:
- will not be consuming
- is vomiting
- appears to be respiration quick or working onerous to breathe
- oxygen ranges drop decrease than typical
- appears very irritable
- simply would not appear fairly proper
What Else Should I Know?
Caring for a kid after coronary heart surgical procedure will be overwhelming for any household. But you’re not alone. The medical doctors, nurses, social staff, and different members of the care workforce are there that can assist you and your baby.
It can assist to discover a assist group for fogeys whose youngsters have a severe coronary heart situation. Ask the care workforce for suggestions. You can also discover assist and extra data on-line at:
