The Norwood Procedure is a surgery performed on the
heart. This procedure is most often performed to treat Hypoplastic Left
Heart Syndrome, certain types of mitral atresia, or other conditions that result
in a single ventricle circulation.
Entry to the body cavity for the Norwood Procedure is gained by
a vertical incision above the sternum. Separation of the sternum is
necessary.
This surgery is complex and may vary slightly depending on the
diagnosis and overall condition of the heart. The main pulmonary artery is
separated from the left and right portions of the pulmonary artery and joined
with the upper portion of the aorta. Widening of the pulmonary artery is
often necessary, and may be accomplished by using the patient's existing
biological tissue, or appropriate animal tissue. This allows the blood,
oxygenated and deoxygenated, to be pumped to the body via the pulmonary
valve. |