Surgical ligation of patent ductus arteriosus in a neonatal intensive care setting is safe and cost effective.

The physiological and biochemical status of two groups of neonates with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) requiring surgical ligation were compared. One group (n = 14) had ductus ligation in the operating room (OR) and the other group (n = 14) had the same operation in an isolation room in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The groups were closely matched in terms of gestational age and weight. Nursing time and disposable equipment savings were significantly different. We have confirmed that PDA ligation can be done safely in the NICU and is more cost efficient than ligation in the OR.