Fort Worth, Texas,
02
May
2017
|
10:58 AM
America/Chicago

Waylon's Story: Baby Receives Surgery for Tetralogy of Fallot

Surgeon Repairs Child's Rare Heart Condition

Nothing had gone as Jordan and Katie Guidry planned following the birth of their son, Waylon.

Before Waylon could receive the heart surgery he so badly needed, his parents learned their surgeon was leaving the area. The Guidrys were suddenly faced with uprooting from their home in Fate, Texas (Rockwall County) and taking their very sick 6-month-old son out of town for surgery, most likely to either Houston or Chicago. Waylon was born at 27 weeks and 3 days with a rare heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot, which creates obstruction to blood flow to the lung and is associated with a hole between the pumping chambers of the heart .

As they considered their options and prepared to pick up their lives, the phone rang one afternoon. It was Waylon’s cardiologist to tell them a new heart surgeon, Vinod Sebastian, M.D., would take on the case at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth.

“Jordan and I didn’t know what to do,” Katie said. “We researched our options and we just couldn’t make up our minds. When we got the phone call, we were so relieved. Dr. Sebastian received all of Waylon’s history and was confident he could repair the Tetralogy of Fallot with one surgery and also spare his pulmonary valve, which traditionally has to be cut open and resected during this repair.”

The family arrived at Cook Children’s on Nov. 28, 2016 and Waylon underwent heart surgery on Dec. 14. Tetralogy of Fallot is a rare heart defect that occurs in about 5 out of every 100,000 babies.The surgery is a complicated one because the congenital heart disease results in four main congenital heart defects:

  • Ventricular septal defect (VSD)
  • Override of the aorta over the VSD
  • Right ventricular outflow tract obstruction
  • Right ventricular hypertrophy

ifelong monitoring is required due to the increased incidence of arrhythmia, exercise intolerance and reduced right ventricular function.

Often times when the surgery is performed, surgeons cut open and resect the pulmonary valve in the baby’s heart. If that happens, it usually means a heart surgery later in life to replace the valve. That was not the case for Waylon.

“As far as Waylon’s heart, his long-term prognosis is excellent,” Dr. Sebastian said. “Waylon is unlikely to need any further cardiac surgical intervention. In the past, Waylon’s condition was incurable. Even 10 years ago, the surgical repair routinely involved cutting open and resecting the pulmonary valve. His heart surgery is very gratifying because his heart problems are no longer an issue.”

Waylon and his family will face other non-cardiac health issues in the future, but for now the family feels very fortunate to have found Cook Children’s and Dr. Sebastian.

“He’s doing great now,” Katie said. “We are so grateful and blessed for having this opportunity to come to Cook Children’s and for our son to receive all the help he needs."

Waylon has been at  home now for more than two months and Katie is busy planning his 1 year old birthday party on May 30.

 

Tetralogy of Fallot

 

 

About Dr. Sebastian

Vinod Sebastian was born and raised in India and has pursued specialty training in the US in surgery, cardiothoracic surgery and pediatric cardiac surgery. During training he realized his passion of becoming a pediatric cardiac surgeon and the unique ability to provide life altering treatments to neonates, infants, children and adults with congenital heart disease.

He trained at Stanford University with Frank Hanley and VM Reddy in the field of pediatric cardiac surgery. During this time he trained in techniques of “single stage unifocalisation” and “extremely low birth weight cardiac surgery” at one of the largest practices in the world.

Dr. Sebastian is happy to be back in Texas at Cook Children's and providing pediatric cardiac surgery services in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

In his spare time, he enjoys being outdoors, reading, watching cricket, tennis and swimming.

About Cook Children's Cardiothoracic Surgery Program

When it comes to your child, any kind of surgery is concerning. When that surgery is related to the heart, it can be a very frightening time. The cardiothoracic surgeons in the Cook Children's Heart Center are recognized for their skill and expertise. And, because they perform an average of 400 surgeries each year, they know how challenging it is for you and your child, and they will work closely with you to ensure you understand all your child's surgery will entail and the risks involved in order to provide the best plan of treatment. Click to learn more about the program.

Comments 1 - 4 (4)
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Tammy Coach
07
February
2017
I have a child that a VSD and ASD repair when he was three months old. He is now 13 years old. Dr. Vincent Tam was his surgeon there at Cook Children's in Fort Worth. Doctor Stephen Lai is his Cardiologist that he sees every 2 years now.
Cindi Black
07
February
2017
Our son was a (complicated) Single- Ventricle.We love Cook's and the wonderful staff!!! I'm happy that all is going well for the Guldry family!
Michelle Dill
04
February
2017
Our daughter also has TOF and has had two open heart surgeries at Cook Childrens. We have always received top notch care from their staff and have the highest confindence in their doctors.
Shawn Wells
03
February
2017
I have a son who has Tetralogy of Fallot. He had his surgery at St. Louis Childrens Hospital in 1994, he is now 22!