Ventilation strategy for video-assisted thoracoscopic clipping of patent ductus arteriosus in children

Video-assisted endoscopic techniques have reduced operative trauma in adult thoracic and general surgery but its application in children with congenital heart disease has been limited. We report the use of video-assisted thoracoscopic (VAT) technique of clipping patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in children. Forty patients with PDA were divided into two groups: during VAT surgery patients in group A [mean age = 3.6 +/- 2.4 (SD) years] were managed with right main stem bronchial intubation and those in the group B [mean age = 3.7 +/- 2.7 (SD) years] received low tidal volume-high frequency ventilation using a Siemens 900C ventilator. The mean oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) observed during the surgical intervention was significantly lower in group A (90%) compared to group B (96.8%) while the surgical convenience was not different. We conclude that a low tidal volume-high frequency ventilation is acceptable and safe in patients with PDA undergoing VATS.