Early or Late Surgical Ligation of Medical Refractory Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Premature Infants

Abstract

Optimal time to surgical ligation of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in very-low-birth-weight ( 14 days) groups. Basic clinical features, major morbidity of prematurity and mortality were compared. Clinical features and major outcomes were similar. The early ligation group had earlier onset of symptomatic PDA (5.7 ± 1.6 days vs. 8.1 ± 3.6 days, p = 0.024), and fewer days of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) (39.6 ± 13.9 days vs. 60.4 ± 31.4 days, p = 0.025) and ventilator use (11.1 ± 6.7 days vs. 18.6 ± 10.5 days, p = 0.019). Early ligation of medical refractory PDA in very-low-birth-weight premature infants improves enteral feeding tolerance and reduces TPN and ventilator use, but long-term benefits need further investigation.

Keywords

• indomethacin
• patent ductus arteriosus
• prematurity
• surgery