Early Surgical Results of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Premature Infants

Objective:Our aim is to evaluate the closure of patent ductus arteriosus through surgery at an early stage, commonly seen in premature infants and a leading cause of left-to-right shunt and mortality/morbidity, as a safe modality to prevent complications that may develop in postnatal preiod in patients with bronchopulmonary displasia or respiratory distress syndrome followed up in mechanical ventilation, and whose ductus arteriosus can not be closed despite medical treatment. Material and Methods:Thirty two cases of patent ductus arteriosus with premature birth history and no additional cardiac pathology, performed in the Department of Cardiovascular Medical School, Necmettin Erbakan University between 2006-2015 were included into the study. Results:Of the 32 patients, 14 (43,7%) were females and 18 (56,3%) were males. The most frequently seen preoperative disorder was respiratory distress syndrome(n=20). Twenty-two (68%) of the patients were following as intubated in newborn intensive care unit. Surgical procedure was performed in patients whose ductus were not closed via medical treatmentorin whom medical treatment was contraindicated for problems such as intracranial hemorrhage, renal failure or thrombocytopenia. Excitus rate was 15,6% (n=5) in our series. Removal time of mechanical ventilation was average 6,2 days. Postoperative echocardiography showed no recurrence of patent ductus arteriosus. Conclusion:Prevention of postnatal mortality and morbidity due to patent ductus arteriosus in premature infants can be achieved by early surgical closure during postnatal early period before secondary organ failure due to shunting develops and infants with critical general status-dependent on mechanical vantilation-,and for whom medical treatment is unsuccessful.