title: A method to facilitate subxiphoid pericardiotomy.
abstract: Pericardial effusion can be treated effectively by the technique of subxiphoid pericardial window. We present a case in which the Cooper retractor designed for transcervical thymectomy facilitated this operation. When available, the Cooper retractor can be useful in selected patients.
authors.affiliation: Thoracic Oncology Section, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
authors.forename: B K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Temeck
authors.forename: H I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Pass
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000556:secondary*; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000556:secondary*; D006801:Humans; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D010491:Pericardial Window Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010496:Pericardium; D013934:Thymectomy / Q000295:instrumentation