The thirdstage operation, called the Fontan operation, is typically performed between 1 1/2 to 4 years of age. During the Fontan operation, surgeons connect the veins from the body directly to the arteries to the lungs.

In this short video, experts from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia explain how the Fontan operation is performed.

Visit http://heart.chop.edu to learn about the Cardiac Center at CHOP and to read more about single ventricle heart defects.