SINCE 1907, the possibility of operation in the treatment of the patent ductus arteriosus has been recognized. Graybiel, Strieder and Boyer¹ made the first surgical attempt at closure of the ductus. The condition was complicated by the presence of bacterial endarteritis. The unsuccessful outcome was due to fatal hemorrhage at the operating table. Since this first attempt Gross² has ligated or divided the ductus in 133 patients with only five fatalities.

In reviewing the literature on this subject, one is impressed by the rapid advancement made in the accuracy of diagnosis and the perfection of the surgical technic. The early criteria for operation, namely, absence of infection, absence of embolic phenomena and sterile cultures of the blood no longer need be followed. The surgical treatment encompasses more and more the group of patients previously denied operation because of the presence of infection superimposed on the patent ductus.

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