Isolated right-sided patent ductus arteriosus in right-sided aortic arch. Report of two cases.

An isolated right-sided patent ductus arteriosus has not been reported previously to occur in right-sided aortic arch associated with an aberrant left subclavian artery. We report such anomalies in two adult patients. In the first case of a 19-year-old woman, the ductus was successfully ligated via a left posterolateral thoracotomy; however, many technical difficulties were encountered. In the second case of a 36-year old woman, a right posterolateral thoracotomy enabled detailed demonstration of the ductus and its surrounding structures and facilitated its successful ligation. An isolated right-sided patent ductus arteriosus should be approached via right thoracotomy.