Management of patients with patent ductus arteriosus: Challenges and outcome in low-resource settings

Background: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is quite a common acyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD). Its ligation in Sub-Saharan Africa is challenging due to lack of adequate cardiothoracic surgeons. We, therefore, present our experience and our challenges in our center with limited resources. Objectives: To determine the challenges and outcome of surgical ligation of PDA in our center. Methods: This was a retrospective review of all PDA ligations done from January 2012 to December 2017. Data were extracted from the operation theater register and patients files. Information such as age, sex, symptoms at presentation, intraoperative findings, and outcome of surgery were analyzed. Discordances between echocardiography and intraoperative finding of PDA were noticed in only two cases, and these were excluded from the study because PDA was not seen intraoperatively and they were referred for further evaluation. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 16 was used for data entry and analysis. Results: Twenty-five patients had PDA ligation during the study period; the subjects comprised 17 females and 8 males with a male-to-female ratio of 1:2. Two adult cases were recorded. Three cases had other associated CHD. All surgeries were carried out successfully and only a single case of complication was reported (4%, chylothorax). Conclusion: PDA ligation is relatively safe if properly done with successful outcome.