title: Thoracoscopic clipping of patent ductus arteriosus in premature infants.
abstract: Patent ductus arteriosus is a frequent indication for surgical intervention in preterm infants. Commonly this operation is performed through a dorsolateral thoracotomy. In an animal trial (piglets smaller than 1,400 g) instruments and technique for thoracoscopic clipping of patent ductus arteriosus were developed. Since January 1993, 3 premature infants have been treated with this new minimally invasive procedure. The instruments and the surgical technique are demonstrated.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Thorax-, Herz- und Gefässchirurgie, Westfälischen Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Förster
mesh_terms: D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D020708:Thoracoscopes; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000379:methods*