Abstract
1. Patent ductus arteriosus treated by surgery untill 1960 was reviewed and studied. This includes 471 cases collected from the surgical institution in Japan and 46 cases of our own. 2. Overall mortality of patent ductus arteriosus operation was 8.9 per cent. This figure when compared with 11.0 per cent mortality of the same reported by Sakakibara in 1959 indicate clear improvement of surgical results during the last several years. 3. Size of the ductus as measured at operation showed good correlation in many instances with their clinical manifestations. 4. In typical cases of patent ductus arteriosus mortality was less than one percent. However in atypical cases especially in older age group surgical mortality is considerably higher. 5. Much higher incidence of recannalization and aneurysmal dilatation exists in patent ductus arteriosus ligation group than the ductus division group. Accordingly, Gross's division technic is recommended as procedure of choice for patent ductus arteriosus surgery. 6. Results of surgery and electrocardiographic changes following successful surgery indicated that the patent ductus arteriosus operation should be performed during child-hood.
