[Partial pericardectomy using videothoracoscopy].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to assess the validity of videothoracoscopy in the treatment of chronic pericardial effusions.


METHODS
We studied 13 consecutive patients with chronic pericardial effusions and an indication for surgical treatment. The patients, 10 female and 3 male, had a mean age of 48 years (21-72 years). Eleven patients had recurrent pericardial effusion and two patients had anterior mediastinal masses of unknown etiology and a large pericardial effusion.


METHODS
A videothoracoscopy was performed in every patient, under general anesthesia with a double-lumen endotracheal tube. The thoracic cavity was inspected, the pericardial effusion was drained and a partial pericardectomy was performed.


RESULTS
There was no postoperative mortality or morbidity. Average duration of postoperative thoracic drain and postoperative stay were, 1.2 and 2.4 days respectively. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 48 months (mean 23.3 months). One patient died due to progression of his malignant disease. There were no cases of recurrent pericardial effusions.


CONCLUSIONS
Video assisted pericardectomy is a safe technique that should be considered in the treatment of chronic pericardial effusions.
Bastos
P
P
Centro de Cirurgia Torácica, Hospital de São João, Porto.
Casanova
J
J
Gonçalves
L
L
Almeida
J
J
Gomes
M R
MR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010492:Pericardiectomy / Q000379:methods*; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000379:methods*