Comparison of suture ligation and clip application for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm neonates.
OBJECTIVE
We reviewed the experience of 2 centers performing surgical ligation of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm neonates to identify whether the choice of surgical technique--suture ligation or clip application--affected outcome.


METHODS
Between 2000 and 2005, 67 newborn infants had open surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus: 33 by suture ligation and 34 by clip application. The groups were similar in age and sex.


RESULTS
The average length of the procedure was 55.8 +/- 13.7 minutes for suture ligation and 30.8 +/- 8.7 minutes for clip application (P < .05). Six neonates had intraoperative bleeding in the suture ligation group. Four patients had significant postoperative complications in the suture ligation group, compared with 2 in the clip application group.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that clip application results in a significant reduction in the operative time and, possibly, in less morbidity.
Mandhan
Parkash Lal
PL
Department of Paediatric Surgery, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand. sindhwasi@e3.net.nz
Samarakkody
Udaya
U
Brown
Stuart
S
Kukkady
Askar
A
Maoate
Kiki
K
Blakelock
Russell
R
Beasley
Spencer
S
D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques