title: Laparoscopic transdiaphragmatic diagnostic pericardial window in the hemodynamically stable patient with penetrating chest trauma. A brief report.
abstract: We report two cases of laparoscopically performed transdiaphragmatic diagnostic pericardial window following diagnostic laparoscopy for a penetrating wound to the central anterior thorax below the sixth intercostal space. In the hemodynamically stable patient, this approach permits evaluation of the diaphragm, abdominal viscera, and pericardial space using a single, minimally invasive surgical technique.
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, 3400 Spruce Street, 3 Maloney Building, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: McMahon
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Sing
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Hoff
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Schwab
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015505:Chest Tubes; D003964:Diaphragm; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010491:Pericardial Window Techniques; D011028:Pneumoperitoneum, Artificial; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology