Ligation of patent ductus arteriosus in premature infants: importance of accurate anatomic definition.

The aortic arch anatomy of the premature infant may not be as simple to determine as the anatomy of an older child. A case of a premature infant who had inadvertent ligation of the left pulmonary artery during attempted ligation of a patent ductus arteriosus is described. On the fourth day following the initial operation, the patient underwent successful surgery to remove the pulmonary artery ligature and to ligate the persistent patent ductus arteriosus. A lung scan on the seventh day following removal of the pulmonary artery ligature showed normal perfusion of both lungs. Six months later, the child's growth, development, and chest roentgenogram were normal.