Division of patent ductus arteriosus by "isthmus taping method".

"Isthmus taping method" as the safe and simple technique for division of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), along with surgical and follow-up results were reported. 175 patients with PDA and without other cardiac anomalies were operated by this technique. Most of the patients were operated by junior surgeons as a first step in cardiac surgery. The left chest was entered through posterolateral thoracotomy in the third or fourth intercostal space. Tapes were placed around the isthmus of aorta and PDA. Intercostal arteries were not divided. PDA was divided in-between Potts' clamps. Pulmonary and aortic stumps of the PDA were closed with two rows of continuous over and over suture. Of the 175, one patient (0.6%) with pulmonary hypertension died of postoperative respiratory failure. No surgical hazards of bleeding were noted. No deaths were noted among 131 patients without pulmonary hypertension. Follow-up results in 174 patients up to 14 years were excellent.