Comparison of the incidence of residual shunting between two surgical techniques used for ligation of patent ductus arteriosus in the dog.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of residual patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) flow after ligation using 2 different dissection techniques: a standard dissection and a method described by Jackson and Henderson. STUDY
DESIGN: A randomized, prospective study. ANIMALS: Thirty-five dogs admitted for surgical correction of a left to right shunting PDA.
METHODS: Dogs were randomly assigned: 19 to a standard dissection technique (group S) and 16 to the Jackson and Henderson dissection group (group JH).
RESULTS: Gender ratio, age at surgery, and diameter of the ductus were not statistically different between groups. Breed distribution was also similar. Because 1 dog had fatal intraoperative hemorrhage, only 34 dogs were available for residual flow comparisons. Twenty-one percent of group S dogs had residual flow compared with 53% in group JH. Whereas no intraoperative complications occurred in group S, 3 were encountered in group JH.
CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of residual flow was higher when the Jackson and Henderson dissection was used for PDA ligation compared with a standard method of dissection. This was probably because of entrapment of loose connective tissue within the medial aspect of the ligature, impeding complete closure of the ductus. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ideal PDA closure should result in no residual ductal flow to prevent possible adverse long-term sequelae, such as recanalization and infective endocarditis. Copyright 2003 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons