Results of the Patent Ductus Arteriosus Closure Using the Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

Background: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been shown to be a safe and effective method for the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure. This study aimed at evaluating the patients with PDA who underwent the VATS closure. Methods: In this retrospective descriptive study, the medical records of 129 patients with the mean age of 35.44 months who underwent VATS were assessed during 2003 - 2016. Demographic data, mortality rate and surgery events were also recorded and reported. Results: The results showed that 9.3% of the patients had conversion to thoracotomy and less than 2.3% (3 cases) of the patients developed pulmonary complications: two chylothorax and one residual shunt. The mortality rate of these patients was zero. Conclusions: Results of this study showed that the PDA surgery using the VATS method could reduce the mortality rate, complications and side effects.