Reduced Hospital Mortality With Surgical Ligation of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Premature, Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants: A Propensity Score-Matched Outcomes Study

Propensity score-matched analysis of surgical ligation versus medical management of clinically significant patent ductus arteriosus in premature (<37 weeks), extremely low birth weight infants (<1000 g). Infants undergoing surgical ligation had lower mortality (15% vs 26%) and a higher rate of routine disposition from the hospital (48% vs 41%) as opposed to transferring care or requiring home health services. However, in the surgical ligation group, the length of stay was longer (88.5 days vs 65.6 days) and total cost was higher ($209,829 vs $139,446). Necrotizing enterocolitis and sepsis were independent predictors of mortality in both groups of infants.