Fallot Tetralogy (TOF)

Corrective surgery is usually performed between the 3rd and 6th month of life. This involves removing tissue that narrows the outlet from the right ventricle. Patches made of autologous or synthetic material are used to close the ventricular septal defect and widen the outflow tract of the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. If a shunt operation was previously performed, the shunt is removed. If no pulmonary valve is present, the surgeon implants a biological valve from another person (homograft) or from an animal (xenograft). The most commonly used valve in small children is taken from the jugular vein of the calf (ContegraTM). Particular attention must be paid to the pulmonary artery valve during follow-up checks, as it often no longer closes tightly after the surgical expansion. After a few years, it may be necessary to replace the valve. In a large number of patients, this can be carried out without further surgery by implanting a heart valve in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory (Melody valve).