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Research & Innovation
It starts with a Q:
For the latest cutting-edge research, innovative collaborations and remarkable discoveries in child health, read stories from across all our areas of study in Q: Advances and Answers in Pediatric Health.
HLHS Surgery
Treatment for HLHS: the three surgeries
At Children's Colorado, we are committed to your child’s overall health and well-being. Our treatment plan, along with our wellness strategy, will keep you in the loop and involved in every decision. Treatment for hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) involves three stages of heart surgery:
- Within days of birth, HLHS babies will have the Norwood procedure.
- When they reach four to six months old, it's time for the Glenn surgery.
- The third and final surgery, the Fontan, marks the beginning of some stability in the lives of patients with HLHS.
Norwood procedure
Glenn procedure
Fontan procedure
Our families discuss their experiences with HLHS surgeries
The Norwood, Glenn and Fontan procedures vary in terms of operating time, hospital stay and recovery. Derick and Karla discuss how they coped with Jaden’s surgeries, and they talk about life at home after each surgery.
Expert HLHS care, birth through childhood
From birth through the Glenn procedure, experts in our Complex Congenital Heart Disease and Development Clinic support HLHS babies and families every step of the way. We follow your baby very closely – both when they're in the hospital and after they return home – until they are ready for the final stage of treatment.
After your child has the Glenn procedure, our team in the Single Ventricle Clinic will care for them through their third and final surgery – the Norwood – and beyond. Our multidisciplinary caregivers help HLHS patients with any medical issues that may arise during childhood and with everyday matters like quality of life, going to school and self-esteem. It's just one way we're ensuring these children have a long, happy and healthy life.
3
Board-certified congenital cardiac surgeons
45
Pediatric cardiologists
500+
Heart surgeries annually
HLHS survival: excellence in outcomes
We believe in transparency
Our surgical survival rates for HLHS procedures make us one of the top pediatric heart hospitals in the country.
Dedicated cardiac anesthesiologists
Babies born with HLHS have complex anatomy and physiology, making specialized anesthesiology critical. We have eight specially trained cardiac anesthesiologists solely dedicated to pediatric patients in the Heart Institute who are available 24/7.
Care for the whole child
Kids with HLHS receive specialized care from pediatric cardiologists and surgeons – and from other pediatric experts such as Child Life specialists, nutritionists, social workers, and physical and occupational therapists.
"I want to be able to watch him grow up and teach him about life."Kelly, Jaxon's dad
Additional pediatric cardiology resources
Next: Living with HLHS
HLHS can be repaired, but it never goes away. Learn about the prognosis as well as tips for living with this diagnosis.
Read inspiring stories from HLHS survivors and patients living with other heart conditions.
Results from our research studies provide invaluable information about fetal cardiology procedures and innovations.
Discover resources and tools other families have found helpful through their journeys with HLHS.
Partnership with the University of Colorado School of Medicine
Children's Hospital Colorado partners with the University of Colorado School of Medicine, where many of our physicians and care providers serve as faculty.