Balloon septostomy is a surgical procedure used to widen a foramen ovale, patent foramen ovale, or atrial septal defect using a balloon catheter.  Children with cyanotic congenital heart defects (abnormalities in the heart structure that does not allow the body to get oxygenated blood) need this procedure to ensure proper flow of oxygenated blood to the body.  It is usually a palliative procedure (done to help the patient until the corrective surgery can be done) and is not an open surgical procedure.

Pre-Operative Details:

Your surgeon will give specific instructions before the surgery, including risks (i.e. bleeding, infection, adverse reaction to anesthesia, etc.).  Please make sure to contact your insurance company for coverage.  You will also meet with the anesthesiologist prior to the surgery to go over your medical history.  Please do not eat after midnight the night before your surgery.  On the day of surgery, you will arrive at the hospital, get registered, and get changed into a hospital gown.  A nurse will then review your chart to make sure there are no problems and then get all the paperwork in order for surgery.  The anesthesiologist will then start an IV and you will be taken to the operating room, where the surgeon will verify your name and procedure before any medication is given.  Once you are a local anesthetic, surgery will begin.

Operative Details:

The surgeon will be begin by making a tiny incision in the groin area to gain access to the femoral artery via a conduit (catheter).  Once this catheter is in placed, a second deflated balloon catheter is placed inside the first catheter and guided up to the heart, directly seen with a video monitor and repetitive X-rays with dye/contrast.  Once reaching the right atrium, the balloon catheter is passed through the foramen ovale or atrial septal defect to the left atrium and inflated.  Once inflated, it is pulled back to the right atrium, creating a larger opening between the right and left atrium to allow for oxygenated and deoxygenated blood to mix.  After the balloon is deflated, the catheters are removed from the body and the incision is closed.

Post-Operative Details:

After the surgery, you will be taken to the post-operative/recovery area and be monitored.  You will likely experience pain and will given pain medication appropriately.  It is important to keep the incision areas clean and dry once the catheter is removed.  The length of your hospital stay depends on how quickly you are able to recover and perform some physical activity.  If you experience fevers, severe pain, redness/swelling/warmth where the incisions were made, or drainage from the incisions, please let your doctor know immediately.  Your surgeon will give specific instructions about recovery time.