Left-to-right shunt through patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) produces significant hemodynamic and respiratory derangements in premature infants. Combined diseases in these patients often preclude attempts to close the PDA medically with indomethacin. Recently, the efficacy of early surgical closure performed in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) rather than in operating room (OR) has been emphasized to reduce the risks of transferring unstable infants. Therefore, we reviewed the anesthetic management and clinical status of premature infants who underwent early surgical closure of PDA in NICU.

Between 2001 and 2007, we reviewed retrospectively 17 premature infants with extremely low birth weight below 1,500 g and 33 weeks gestational age who underwent early ligation of PDA in NICU with left axillary minithoracotomy.

The mean gestational age and weight of infants were 29.4 ± 1.8 (26⁺³ - 32) weeks and 849 ± 165 (450 - 1,080)g. Most of the infants had complications related to PDA and prematurity. Diastolic blood pressure and pulse oxymetry saturation changed with ligation of PDA from 27.4 ± 5.3 mmHg and 96.3 ± 2.9% to 38.1 ± 10.0 mmHg and 93.8 ± 2.6%, respectively. The body temperature didn't show significant alterations. There was no direct procedure-related death although threeinfants died from pneumonia and sepsis at 29, 30 and 34 days postoperatively.

Performing early PDA ligation in NICU was demonstrated to be safe and effective, especially in terms of providing continuous care and avoiding the risk of hypothermia.