Comparison of suture ligation and clip application for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm neonates.

Objective: We reviewed the experience of 2 centers performing surgical ligation of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm neonates to identify whether the choice of surgical technique--suture ligation or clip application--affected outcome.

Methods: Between 2000 and 2005, 67 newborn infants had open surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus: 33 by suture ligation and 34 by clip application. The groups were similar in age and sex.

Results: The average length of the procedure was 55.8 +/- 13.7 minutes for suture ligation and 30.8 +/- 8.7 minutes for clip application (P < .05). Six neonates had intraoperative bleeding in the suture ligation group. Four patients had significant postoperative complications in the suture ligation group, compared with 2 in the clip application group.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that clip application results in a significant reduction in the operative time and, possibly, in less morbidity.