OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this study was to describe a new technique for closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) by minithoracotomy (2.5 a 3.0 cm) and clipping the PDA with titanium clips. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From November 1996 to December 1997, 15 children with PDA underwent surgical closure. The mean age at the time of operation was 2.7 years, mean weight was 13.9 kg. The procedure was through a left minithoracotomy at the 4º intercostal space. The ductus was identified, dissected and isolated. Interruption of ductal flow was performed by direct clipping with two clips. The chest was closed without a chest drain. Unless the patient was ventilator dependent before the closure, the child usually was extubated in the operating room. RESULTS: Color doppler echocardiography demonstrated total occlusion of the ductus in all patients. All 15 patients were discharged from the hospital on the 4º postoperative day (mean). CONCLUSION: We conclude that surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus with minitoracotomy, without chest tube drainage can be accomplished safely and with low incidence of complications.
Thoracotomy; Ductus arteriosus patent; Surgical procedures