Advantages of surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus without tube thoracostomy

Between June 1994 and June 1995, 30 patients aged 6 months to 21 years (mean age, 6.38 years) underwent surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus without tube thoracostomy. Comparison of surgical results with the results of 143 previous consecutive cases of patent ductus arteriosus performed with the conventional technique using chest tube thoracostomy revealed a statistically significant difference in postoperative temperature, need for narcotics, hospital stay and certain complications such as pneumothorax. There was no mortality and late results were excellent. It is concluded that patent ductus arteriosus closure without tube thoracostomy is feasible and can be safe, more comfortable and more cost effective than the standard procedure. (C) 1999 The International Society for Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.