[Ductus ligation in idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome of the premature infant].

In a 13-month period, ligation of the persistent ductus was carried out in 23 prematurely born babies with severe respiratory distress syndrome who were all respirator-dependent. Mean gestational age was 30.6 weeks (26-36 weeks), mean birth weight 1490 g (850-3090 g) with 3 patients under 1000 g. Signs of cardiac failure by large left to right shunt via ductus were seen at the end of the first week of life, radiologic signs as pulmonary edema were seen 1 to 2 days earlier. Mean age at operation was 13.5 days (4-27 days), mean duration of artificial ventilation 22 days (8-59 days). Indomethacin was used orally 12 of these patients without effect to close the ductus. One patient died of cerebral hemorrhage on his 17th day of life, 10 days postoperatively, one 3 1/2 months later at home with porencephaly and hydrocephalus. Four patients show radiologic signs of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. In the following 6 months up to December 1979, another 15 patients with IRDS underwent ductus ligation. Gestational age and birth weights were about the same as in the first group. Out of this second group which has not been followed up for a longer period. 3 babies died. Early mortality in both groups is 10.5% (4 out of 38 patients).