Unilateral Vocal Cord Paralysis Following Patent Ductus Arteriosus Ligation in Extremely Low-Birth-Weight Infants

Abstract
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) ligation has been reported to be a safe and well-tolerated procedure in premature and low-birth-weight infants.1-4 Iatrogenic vocal cord paralysis following this PDA ligation is an uncommon complication, with rates between 0.7% and 8.8%.4-16 Most studies have, however, included older children. In low-birth-weight (LBW) and preterm infants, overall trends in the few studies10-16 examining the incidence of this complication are suggestive of an increasing incidence with decreasing infant weight. The reported incidence of this complication in very LBW (VLBW) and smaller preterm infants ranges between 5% and 23%.15