Int Surg
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Despite indomethacin therapy, many premature infants require surgical closure of their patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Between January 1985 and December 1997, 176 premature infants underwent surgical closure of PDA by vascular clip after failure of medical treatment. The median gestational age and birth weight were 26 weeks (range 23-36 weeks) and 847.5 g (range 400-2300 g), respectively. ⋯ Three infants (1.7%) developed vocal cord paralysis directly related to the position of the vascular clip. Echocardiography confirmed PDA closure in 43 infants (24.4%) while the remaining 133 had no clinical signs of PDA. Surgical closure of PDA by vascular clip carries a very low morbidity in premature infants.