OBJECTIVETo evaluate the results of Fontan operation with extracardiac conduit on beating hearts.

METHODSForty-two patients (31 males and 11 females) age ranged from 3 to 19 years old included in this study. There were 19 double inlet-ventricle, 10 tricuspid atresia, and 3 patients with mitral atresia, 10 patients with other complex congenital cardiac malformations. Fontan operations with extracardiac conduit were performed in all patients with the help of cardiopulmonary bypass without hypothermia in this study. Atrial septal fenestration was performed in 8 patients. In one patient, bi-directional cardiopulmonary procedure was performed 2 years before Fontan operation.

RESULTSThere was one early death caused by acute hepatic function failure and one late death caused by repeated lung infections. The follow-up of 1 to 4.5 years showed that all patients' cardiac functions were grade I to II, and arterial oxygen saturation was 92% - 96%.

CONCLUSIONSThe early and mid-term outcome of Fontan operation with extracardiac conduit on beating hearts is good and the method can be used in the single ventricle repair.