Norwood procedure
The Norwood procedure is a complex heart surgery performed on infants born with a serious congenital heart defect known as hypoplastic left heart syndrome. This condition means the left side of the heart is underdeveloped, making it difficult to pump oxygen-rich blood to the body. During the Norwood procedure, surgeons reconstruct the heart and create a new pathway for blood flow. The surgery is typically performed in the first few weeks of life and is the first of several staged surgeries aimed at improving heart function and survival into childhood and beyond.
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The Norwood Procedure is a type of heart surgery primarily used to treat hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a serious congenital heart defect. This condition affects normal blood flow through the heart, leading to inadequate circulation. The Norwood Procedure creates a functional heart by reconstructing the heart's chambers and arteries, allowing the right side of the heart to take over pumping blood to the body. Typically performed in newborns, this surgery is the first of a series of procedures aimed at improving heart function and ensuring better long-term outcomes for affected children.