title: A safe technique of thoracoscopic clipping of patent ductus arteriosus in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present a modified and safe technique of thoracoscopic clipping of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in children and its early outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients are anesthetized, ventilated via single-lung ventilation, and placed in a right lateral position. The surgeon and the assistant stand at the patient's feet, and a monitor is placed at the patient's head. The ductus is pulled forward with a Vicryl(®) (Ethicon) thread and clipped completely.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From May 2010 to February 2011, 58 patients with PDA (27 boys and 31 girls) were operated on using the same technique. Patients' ages varied from 8 days to 36 months. Mean weight of patients was 5.9±2.8 kg (range, 2.1-10 kg). Mean operative time was 33±12 minutes (range, 15-90 minutes). There were no intraoperative complications. Postoperative complications occurred in 2 patients: 1 patient developed a pneumothorax, and 1 patient had pleural effusion. Mean postoperative stay was 4.1±2.1 days for patients >3 months old and 11.9±8.4 days for patients ≤3 months old. No injuries of recurrent laryngeal nerve occurred in any patients, and there were no residual shunts in any patients 3-6 months after discharge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A modified technique of thoracoscopic closure is a safe and effective procedure for PDA in children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, National Hospital of Pediatrics, Hanoi, Vietnam. liemnhp@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Nguyen Thanh
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Liem
authors.forename: Tu Manh
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Tuan
authors.forename: Nguyen Van
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Linh
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome