The purpose of our study was to analyse the results obtained in 18 neonate premature patients who underwent surgical closure of the patent ductus arteriosus, between July 1990 and December 1993 (42 months). Twelve (66.6%) patients were female, with age between 10 and 44 (20.8±8.3) days, gestacional age ranged from 26 to 28 (27.2±0.9) weeks. In the surgery day the birth weight was between 700 and 1380 (985.8 ±181.6) grams. Acute respiratory insufficiency was present in all patients, as the principal surgical indication. In six (33.3%) patients congestive cardiac insufficiency was present. The pharmacological treatment with indometacin, before the operation, was used in nine (50%) patients without success, and although have had no influence in the postoperative results, was associated with a significant reduction of the urine debit (p<0.001). The operative procedure to perform the ligation of the ductus arteriosus, was the fixation of three to four metallic clips, and it has proved to be easily praticable. The preoperative ecocardiography investigation was realized in 15 (83.2%) patients, showing an increase in the relationship between the left atrium and the aortic diameter in all the patients. This relationship was increased in only four (22.2%) patients 30 days after the operation, and only in one (5.5%) patient four months after the operation, showing a tendency of normalization of the cardiac function. In one (5.5%) patient there was a reopening of the ductus in immediate postoperative period, beeing submitted to a reoperation for the ligation of the ductus arteriosus. There was no significant difference in the period of orotraqueal intubation (p=0.586) as well as in the period with oxigen inspiratory fraction < 40% and > 40% < 60% in the pre and postoperative time, (p=0.841 and p=0.692, concerning), but with significant reduction in the period with oxigen inspiratory fraction > 60% (p=0.033). The period of hospitalization was comprehended between 43 and 157 (96.0±24.8) days. The causes of the mortality in the postoperative period have not been related to the surgical treatment. We conclude that the surgical ligation of the patent ductus arteriosus in neonate premature patients is an effective and safe method that can be performed with low morbidity and mortality.
patent ductus arteriosus