title: [Pericardial window by videothorascopy].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pericardial effusion is a clinical condition requiring multidisciplinary management. There are several surgical techniques for its diagnosis and treatment. In the present study we report our experience in performing a pericardial window (PW) by videothorascopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed surgery on 56 patients (20 females and 36 males), with a mean age of 56±1.22 years, and diagnosed with moderate to severe chronic pericardial effusion. The side chosen for the approach depended on whether there was an associated pleural effusion or lung lesion, and if not the left side was chosen.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean duration of the surgery was 37.6±16 minutes. The definitive diagnoses were malignant processes in 23% of cases, including bronchogenic carcinoma and breast cancer. The intra-operative mortality was 0%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Videothorascopic pericardial window is an effective and safe technique for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pericardial effusion, and which enables it to be drained and perform a pleuro-pulmonary and/or mediastinal biopsy during the same surgical act.
authors: Servicio de Cirugía General y Torácica, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Seville, Spain. atrivi_17@hotmail.com
authors: Ana
authors: A
authors: Triviño
authors: Fernando
authors: F
authors: Cózar
authors: Miguel
authors: M
authors: Congregado
authors: Gregorio
authors: G
authors: Gallardo
authors: Sergio
authors: S
authors: Moreno-Merino
authors: Rafael
authors: R
authors: Jiménez-Merchán
authors: Jesús
authors: J
authors: Loscertales
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D010491:Pericardial Window Techniques; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted