Cardiology in the Young

Table of Contents - 2004 - Volume 14, Issue 02  


Original Article

Thoracoscopic closure of the patent arterial duct

Vladimiro L Vida a1c1, Maurizio Rubino a1, Tomaso Bottio a1, Massimo A. Padalino a1, Ornella Milanesi a2, Demetrio Pittarello a1 and Giovanni Stellin a1
a1 Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Paediatric Cardiac Surgery Unit, University of Padua-Medical School, Padova, Italy
a2 Department of Paediatrics, University of Padua-Medical School, Padova, Italy

Article author query
vida vl   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
rubino m   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
bottio t   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
padalino ma   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
milanesi o   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
pittarello d   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
stellin g   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 

Abstract

Video assisted thoracoscopic surgery for closure of the persistently patent arterial duct is an effective answer to the modern effort of seeking repair of congenital cardiac malformations with minimally invasive techniques.

Between June, 1994, and December, 2002, 150 consecutive patients with an echocardiographic diagnosis of isolated patency of the arterial duct were referred to our Institution for video assisted thoracoscopic closure. The median age at the time of operation was 45 months, with a range from 3 to 161 months, and mean weight was 18 kg, with a range from 4.2 to 73 kg. Video assisted closure was possible in 139 patients (93%). The mean operative time was 37 min, with a range from 14 to 89 min. In the remaining 11 patients (7%), seen early in our experience, we converted to a mini-thoracotomy to achieve closure. In no instance did we encounter major haemorrhage requiring blood transfusion, and there were no hospital deaths. The mean period of stay in hospital was less than 24 h in 61 patients, less than 48 h in 88 patients seen earlier in our experience, and 21 days in 1 patient because of a persistent chylothorax. Other complications included palsy of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve in 1 patient, with partial regression at 6 months follow-up.

We conclude that closure of the arterial duct by video-assisted thoroscopy combines the advantages of safe and complete extraluminal occlusion with an excellent clinical and aesthetic result, minimal postoperative pain, and short stay in hospital at low cost.

(Accepted October 17 2003)


Key Words: Patent ductus arteriosus; thoracoscopic surgery; minimally invasive.

Correspondence:
c1 Correspondence to: Vladimiro Vida MD, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Paediatric Cardiac Surgery Unit, University of Padua-Medical School, Via Giustiniani, 2 35128 Padova, Italy. Tel: +39 049 8212410; Fax: +39 049 8212409; E-mail: vladimirovida@interfree.it

Related Content