Ventricular septal defect closure in pediatric patients: The outcome between transcatheter and surgery intervention

The management of ventricular septal defect (VSD) in pediatric patients involves either surgical and transcatheter closure. This study aims to compare the outcomes, complications, length of hospital stay, and costs associated with the closure management. An analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design using medical records were enrolled from January 2021 to December 2023. Data analysis involved categorical and non-parametric tests. A total of 62 pediatric patients with VSD were included in this study, with 25 patients in the transcatheter group and 37 in the surgery group. The median age was 3.5 years (1.00-18.00). Significant differences in age, body weight, and body height were observed, all being higher in the surgery group (p < 0.05). The study highlighted the different outcome in term of length of hospital stay, hospitality cost and the efficiency between transcatheter and surgery, that the transcatheter group had significantly shorter length of hospital stay and cheaper than surgery group, with similar outcomes (defect’s closure). In regard to the outcomes, no significant difference was observed between two groups (92% vs. 100%, p = 0.159), and no complications were recorded in the patients in the transcatheter group. Post-intervention from the surgery group including: arrythmias, anemia, infection and pulmonary hypertension. Transcatheter closure was generally more effective and efficient than surgical interventions for pediatric VSD, particularly in terms of outcomes, hospital stay, and costs, making it a favorable option in resource-limited settings. However, clinical decisions should be based on patient-specific factors, including the presence of comorbidity.