Abstract
Background: The treatment of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in infants and children has changed dramatically over the last 15 years. Open thoracotomy with surgical ligation has been largely replaced by transcatheter occlusive devices and thoracoscopic closure. Patients and Methods: Since 1994, the author has performed more than 60 thoracoscopic closures. Results: Only two procedures required conversion to open thoracotomy, and there was one incomplete closure, which necessitated a second procedure. The average operative time has dropped to 25 minutes during the last 30 cases; and the average hospital stay is less than 24 hours. Conclusion: Thoracoscopic closure of PDAs has proven to be a safe, effective, and cost-efficient method of dealing with persistent PDAs.
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