Laparoscopic treatment of a patent ductus venosus and the use of indocyanine green to monitor perioperative hepatic function

Patent ductus venosus (PDV) is an uncommon but important congenital portocaval shunt that can lead to numerous complications if untreated. This case describes the successful management of a 17-year-old male with symptomatic PDV. Doppler ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) confirmed a large communication between the left portal vein and the inferior vena cava. Angiography demonstrated a large and high flow PDV which precluded its therapeutic embolization. Based on these findings, laparoscopic closure of the PDV was elected and successfully performed. Perioperative indocyanine green (ICG) clearance was performed and marked improvement was observed following the occlusion of the PDV. The patient showed immediate resolution of symptoms post-operatively and remains asymptomatic 2 years after his surgery. Laparoscopic approach to the management of PDV is feasible. ICG clearance, for the first time, was demonstrated in this setting to be a useful and rapid bedside test for the real-time assessment of liver function.