Ligation of Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Abstract

This chapter describes the surgical procedure for ligation of patent ductus arteriosus as performed by the following approaches: thoracoscopic and open. The text includes an introduction that outlines the indications, risks, alternatives, essential steps, needed equipment, and variations in technique for the procedure in question. This is followed by a template operative dictation, which provides the reader with an operative report, such as is found in a patient chart or electronic medical record. A description is provided of the following critical concepts for this procedure: access to the thoracic cavity, retraction of the left lung, identification of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve, circumferential dissection of the patent ductus arteriosus, test clamping of the patent ductus arteriosus, ligation of the ductus arteriosus, and closure of the thorax.