A Simple Modified Technique of Pleuropericardial Window: Towards 0% Recurrence

ABSTRACT Recurrent pericardial effusion is commonly encountered in neoplastic and infective disorders. Intervention is compulsory in patients with unstable hemodynamics and tamponading effusion. Surgical options include: pericardiocentesis, subxiphoid pericardiostomy, and pericardial window. The latter has proved to have lower incidence of recurrence; however, the technique has been continuously refined to improve the recurrence-free survival and decrease postoperative morbidity. We herein present a novel simple modification to minimize recurrence by anchoring the free edges of pericardial fenestration overlying the superior vena cava and right atrium to the chest wall. Follow-up showed no recurrence compared to 3.5% in the conventional procedure.

Manejo conservador del hemopericardio por trauma: reporte de un caso / Conservative management of traumatic hemopericardium: Case report

Introducción. El trauma cardíaco penetrante es una patología con alta mortalidad, que alcanza hasta el 94 % en el ámbito prehospitalario y el 58 % en el intrahospitalario. El algoritmo internacional para los pacientes que ingresan con herida precordial, hemodinámicamente estables, es la realización de un FAST subxifoideo o una ventana pericárdica, según la disponibilidad del centro, y de ser positivo se procede con una toracotomía o esternotomía. Métodos. Se hizo una búsqueda bibliográfica en las bases de datos Medline, Pubmed, Science Direct y UpTodate, usando las palabras claves: "taponamiento cardíaco", "herida precordial" y "manejo no operatorio". Se tomaron los datos de la historia clínica y las imágenes, previa autorización del paciente. Caso clínico. Paciente masculino ingresó con herida en área precordial, estable hemodinámicamente, sin signos de sangrado activo, con FAST subxifoidea "dudosa". Se procedió a realizar ventana pericárdica, la cual fue positiva para hemopericardio de 150 ml; se evacuaron los coágulos del saco pericárdico, se introdujo sonda Nelaton 10 Fr para lavado con solución salina 500 ml, hasta obtener retorno de líquido claro. Frente al cese del sangrado y estabilidad del paciente se decidió optar por un manejo conservador, sin toracotomía. Conclusiones. No todos los casos de hemopericardio traumático por herida por arma cortopunzante requieren toracotomía. El manejo conservador con ventana pericárdica, drenaje de hemopericardio más lavado y dren es una opción en aquellos pacientes que se encuentran estables hemodinámicamente y no se evidencia sangrado activo posterior al drenaje del hemopericardio.

Introduction. Penetrating cardiac trauma is a pathology with high mortality, reaching up to 94% in the prehospital and 58% in the hospital settings. The international algorithm for patients who are admitted to the hospital with a precordial wound and who are hemodynamically stable is to perform a subxiphoid FAST echo or a pericardial window according to the availability of the center and, if positive, proceed to perform thoracotomy or sternotomy. Methods. A literature search was made in the Medline, Pubmed, ScienceDirect, and UpTodate biomedical databases, using the keywords "cardiac tamponade", "precordial wound" and "non-operative management". The data was taken from the clinical history, the images and the surgical procedure. Clinical case. Male patient who was admitted to the emergency room due to a wound in the precordial area, hemodynamically stable without signs of active bleeding, with subxiphoid FAST that is reported as "doubtful". We proceeded to perform a pericardial window which is positive for 150 ml hemopericardium, evacuation of clots from the pericardial sac, inserted a 10 Fr Nelaton catheter and washed with 500 ml saline solution until the return of clear fluid was obtained. In view of the cessation of bleeding and the stability of the patient, it was decided to opt for a conservative management and not to perform a thoracotomy. Conclusions. Not all cases of traumatic hemopericardium from a sharp injury require thoracotomy. Conservative management with pericardial window drainage of the hemopericardium plus lavage and drain is an option in those patients who are hemodynamically stable and there is no evidence of active bleeding after drainage of the hemopericardium.

Video-Assisted Thoracoscopy For Penetrating Cardiac Box Injury in Stable Patients

Abstract Introduction: In high-volume trauma centers, especially in developing countries, penetrating cardiac box injuries are frequent. Although many aspects of penetrating chest injuries have been well established, video-assisted thoracoscopy is still finding its place in cardiac box trauma and algorithmic approaches are still lacking. The purpose of this manuscript is to provide a streamlined recommendation for penetrating cardiac box injury in stable patients. Methods: Literature review was carried out using PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases to identify articles describing the characteristics and concepts of penetrating cardiac box trauma, including the characteristics of tamponade, cardiac ultrasound, indications and techniques of pericardial windows and, especially, the role of video-assisted thoracoscopy in stable patients. Results: Penetrating cardiac box injuries, whether by stab or gunshot wounds, require rapid surgical consultation. Unstable patients require immediate open surgery, however, determining which stable patients should be taken to thoracoscopic surgery is still controversial. Here, the classification of penetrating cardiac box injury used in Colombia is detailed, as well as the algorithmic approach to these types of trauma. Conclusion: Although open surgery is mandatory in unstable patients with penetrating cardiac box injuries, a more conservative and minimally invasive approach may be undertaken in stable patients. As rapid decision-making is critical in the trauma bay, surgeons working in high-volume trauma centers should expose themselves to thoracoscopy and always consider this possibility in the setting of penetrating cardiac box injuries in stable patients, always in the context of an experienced trauma team.

Pericardial-Peritoneal Window as an Alternative Treatment for Large and Recurrent Pericardial Effusion Post-Pericardiotomy

Abstract Introduction: The presence of mild to moderate pericardial effusion after cardiac surgery is common and oral medical therapy is usually able to treat it. Larger effusions are less frequent and surgical intervention is usually necessary. However, there are some rare cases of large effusions that are recurrent even after intervention and become challenging to treat. Methods: We describe the case of a patient submitted to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) without any intraoperative complications, who was regularly discharged from the hospital. She was referred to our emergency department twice after surgery with large pericardial effusion that was drained. Even after those two interventions and with adequate oral medication, the large effusion recurred. Results: During follow-up, the patient had her symptoms resolved, with no need for further hospital admission. Her echocardiograms after the last intervention showed no pericardial effusion. The present surgical technique demonstrated to be easy to perform, thus it should be considered as a treatment option for these rare cases of large and repetitive effusions, which do not respond to the traditional methods. Conclusions: In challenging cases of recurrent and large pericardial effusions, the pericardial-peritoneal window is an alternative surgical technique that brings clinical improvement and diminishes the risk of cardiac tamponade.

Damage control in penetrating cardiac trauma / El control de daños en el trauma cardíaco penetrante

Abstract Definitive management of hemodynamically stable patients with penetrating cardiac injuries remains controversial between those who propose aggressive invasive care versus those who opt for a less invasive or non-operative approach. This controversy even extends to cases of hemodynamically unstable patients in which damage control surgery is thought to be useful and effective. The aim of this article is to delineate our experience in the surgical management of penetrating cardiac injuries via the creation of a clear and practical algorithm that includes basic principles of damage control surgery. We recommend that all patients with precordial penetrating injuries undergo trans-thoracic ultrasound screening as an integral component of their initial evaluation. In those patients who arrive hemodynamically stable but have a positive ultrasound, a pericardial window with lavage and drainage should follow. We want to emphasize the importance of the pericardial lavage and drainage in the surgical management algorithm of these patients. Before this concept, all positive pericardial windows ended up in an open chest exploration. With the coming of the pericardial lavage and drainage procedure, the reported literature and our experience have shown that 25% of positive pericardial windows do not benefit and/or require further invasive procedures. However, in hemodynamically unstable patients, damage control surgery may still be required to control ongoing bleeding. For this purpose, we propose a surgical management algorithm that includes all of these essential clinical aspects in the care of these patients.

Resumen El manejo definitivo de los pacientes hemodinámicamente estables con heridas cardíacas penetrantes continúa siendo controversial con abordajes invasivos versus manejos conservadores. Estas posiciones contrarias se extienden hasta aquellos casos de pacientes hemodinámicamente inestables donde se ha descrito y considerado la cirugía de control de daños como un procedimiento útil y efectivo. El objetivo de este artículo es presentar la experiencia en el manejo quirúrgico de heridas cardíacas penetrantes con la creación de un algoritmo práctico que incluye los principios básicos del control de daños. Se recomienda que a todos los pacientes con heridas precordiales penetrantes se les debe realizar un ultrasonido torácico como componente integral de la evaluación inicial. Aquellos que presenten un ultrasonido torácico positivo y se encuentren hemodinámicamente estables se les debe realizar una ventana pericárdica con posterior lavado. Se ha demostrado que el 25% de las ventanas pericárdicas positivas no se benefician ni requieren de posteriores abordajes quirúrgicos invasivos. Antes de este concepto, todos los pacientes con ventana pericárdica positiva terminaban en una exploración abierta del tórax y del pericárdico. Los pacientes hemodinámicamente inestables requieren de una cirugía de control de daños para un adecuado y oportuno control del sangrado. Con este propósito, se propone un algoritmo de manejo quirúrgico que incluye todos estos aspectos esenciales en el abordaje de este grupo de pacientes.

Late cardiac tamponade in a patient victim of penetrating trauma - case report

Abstract Case Presentation: A case of a 49-year-old patient, male, victim of stab wound, developing belatedly cardiac tamponade and hemodynamic stability was reported. The patient underwent a pericardial window with drainage of pericardial effusion of blackened aspect; however, without visualization of the cardiac lesion, enlargement of the incision by median sternotomy was opted for. A hematoma was spotted at the left ventricle with epicardial lesion and a patch of pericardium was made with 3-0 polypropylene. The patient developed acute pulmonary edema and atrial fibrillation, which improved after the intensive care unit clinical management, with hospital discharge in the 7th postoperative day.

Manejo del derrame pericárdico en el paciente con cáncer / Management of pericardial effusion in cancer patients

Introducción. El derrame pericárdico es la complicación cardiaca más frecuente en el paciente con cáncer. El cáncer de pulmón y el cáncer de mama son las neoplasias sólidas más frecuentemente asociadas con derrame pericárdico. El manejo oncológico multimodal ha permitido un aumento de la supervivencia global y ha expuesto complicaciones oncológicas que exigen manejo individualizado para estos pacientes. Objetivo. Se describe la experiencia en el manejo del derrame pericárdico, desde su fisiopatología, la adecuada clasificación en derrame pericárdico asociado a neoplasia maligna, derrame pericárdico maligno o carcinomatosis pericárdica, hasta su abordaje diagnóstico y terapéutico. Resultados. La incidencia del derrame pericárdico en nuestra institución es de 12 %. En casi 100 procedimientos en 11 años de ventana pericárdica, pericardiectomía e instalación de catéter subcutáneo (tunnelized) pericárdico o pleuropericárdico temporal, la mortalidad posoperatoria fue de 1,2 %, y la recurrencia del derrame pericárdico fue de 2,1 % comparada con una de 33 % en los pacientes sometidos a pericardicentesis. Conclusión. El derrame pericárdico maligno es una urgencia oncológica. Requiere manejo costo-efectivo en términos de ser resolutivo, expedito y duradero, sin agregar morbilidad en un paciente ya con deterioro de su estado general. La ventana pericárdica por toracoscopia (Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery, VATS) en pacientes seleccionados y la minitoracotomía antero-lateral son la vía ideal de abordaje del paciente con derrame pericárdico maligno

Introduction: Pericardial effusion is the most frequent cardiac complication in the cancer patient. Lung cancer and breast cancer are the most common solid neoplasms associated with pericardial effusion. Multimodal oncology management has allowed an increase in overall survival and has exposed oncological complications, which require individualized management for these patients Objective: We present our experience in the management of pericardial effusion, from its physiopathology, adequate classification in: pericardial effusion associated with malignancy, pericardial effusion and pericardial carcinomatosis. Diagnostic and therapeutic approach. Results: the incidence of pericardial effusion in our institution is 12%. In almost 100 pericardial window procedures, pericardiectomy and installation of a pericardial or pleuropericardial tunnelled catheter, in 11 years postoperative mortality was 1.2% and pericardial effusion recurrence was 2.1% compared to 33% recurrence in patients Led to pericardicentesis. Conclusion: Malignant pericardial effusion is an oncologic emergency. It requires cost-effective management in terms of being resolute, expeditious and lasting, with no additional morbidity to a patient, who already appears deteriorated in his general condition. The pericardial window by thoracoscopy, VATS in selected patients and the mini anterolateral thoracotomy are the ideal approach for the patient with malignant pericardial effusion

Experiencia inicial en videotoracoscopía: Hospital Base Osorno / Initial experience in videothoracoscopy: Base Hospital Osorno

Introducción: La videotoracoscopía constituye un abordaje mínimamente invasivo del tórax de gran desarrollo en las últimas décadas, permitiendo la realización de prácticamente todos los procedimientos quirúrgicos del tórax. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar nuestra experiencia inicial con el uso de la videotoracoscopía, sus resultados y realizar una revisión de la literatura. Material y métodos: Se revisó una serie de casos retrospectiva de todos los pacientes intervenidos por vía videotoracoscópica en el Hospital Base Osorno, entre Octubre del 2005 y Septiembre del 2011. Resultados: Se realizaron 31 videotoracoscopías en 29 pacientes. Dieciocho (62 por ciento) pacientes fueron de sexo masculino y 11 (28 por ciento) de sexo femenino. La edad promedio fue de 46,2 +- 16 años de edad. Las indicaciones más frecuentes fueron: estudio de nódulos pulmonares sospechosos de metástasis, empiema pleural y derrame pleural en estudio. Los procedimientos realizados con mayor frecuencia fueron debridaje y aseo, biopsia incisional y biopsia en cuña de nódulos pulmonares. El tiempo operatorio promedio fue de 80,1 +- 43,4 minutos. El tiempo de hospitalización post operatoria promedio fue de 10 +- 10,1 días (rango 1 a 36 días). No hubo mortalidad perioperatoria en la serie. Discusión: Nuestros resultados son satisfactorios y acorde a los reportados en la literatura.

Introduction: the video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) is a minimally invasive approach to thoracic surgery with a great development in recent decades, allowing the performance of almost all thoracic surgical procedures. The aim of this study is to present our initial experience with the use of VATS, its results and review the literature. Material and methods: We reviewed a retrospective case series of all patients undergoing VATS in the Hospital Base Osorno between October 2005 and September 2011. Results: We performed 31 VATS in 29 patients. Eighteen (62 percent patients were male and 11 (28 percent female. The average age was 46.2 +- 16 years. The most frequent indications were: study of suspected pulmonary metastasis, pleural empyema and pleura effusion. The most frequently performed procedures were drainage, incisional biopsy and wedge biopsy of lung nodules. The mean operative time was 80.1 +- 43.4 minutes. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 10 +- 10.1 days (range 1 to 36 days). There was no mortality. Discussion: Our results are satisfactory and consistent with those reported in the literature.

A case of a pericardial window procedure performed by needlescopic surgery in a hemodialysis patient / 대한내과학회지

With the advent of 2- and 3-mm endoscopic instruments, a thoracoscopic pericardiectomy can be performed with relative ease and with almost no postoperative scar. We report a case of a 40-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease who had a large volume of pericardial effusion that did not abate after repeated dialysis. A pericardial window was performed by needlescopy for diagnostic and therapeutic reasons, and her postoperative scar was minimal. Her postoperative course was uneventful, and she has had no complications or recurrence of pericardial or pleural effusion.

Pericardial window used in the diagnosis of cardiac injury

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study is to analyze the results of subxiphoid pericardial window (SPW) and transdiaphragmatic pericardial window (TDP) procedures comparing the two techniques. METHODS: During the period of January, 1994 to December, 2004, at UNICAMP, 245 patients underwent a pericardial window (PW) procedure to evaluate the possibility of cardiac injury. We reviewed the medical records of those patients in order to compare both procedures. RESULTS: Two hundred and seven patients (84.5 percent) underwent the SPW procedure, and 38 (15.5 percent) underwent the TDP procedure. Of the patients who underwent a SPW procedure, 151 (72.9 percent) had gunshots injuries, and 56 (27.1 percent) had stab wounds. In the group of patients submitted to TDP procedure, the wound was caused by gunshot in 26 (68.4 percent). The SPW method has shown a sensitivity of 97.5 percent, specificity of 95.8 percent, and an accuracy of 96.1 percent. The TDP method demonstrated a sensitivity of 100 percent, specificity of 97 percent and a 97.4 percent of accuracy rate. This review showed 8 (3.3 percent) false positive results. There was a single case (2.6 percent) of complications directly associated to the TDP, and this patient developed pericarditis. CONCLUSIONS: Both techniques presented an equally great result, with high sensitivity and specificity. Both surgical techniques must be carefully done to avoid false positive results.

OBJETIVO: Analisar os resultados da janela pericárdica subxifóidea (JPSX) e da janela pericárdica transdiafragmática (JPTD), comparando as duas técnicas. MÉTODOS: Durante o período entre Janeiro de 1994 a Dezembro de 2004, 245 pacientes foram submetidos à janela pericárdica (JP) na Unicamp, a fim de avaliar a presença de lesão cardíaca. Foram revisadas as informações destes pacientes a fim de comparar as técnicas de JP. RESULTADOS: Duzentos e sete (84,5 por cento) pacientes foram submetidos à JPSX, e 38 (15,5 por cento) à JPTD. Dos pacientes que realizaram a JPSX, 151 (72,9 por cento) foram vítimas de lesões provocadas por projétil de arma de fogo (FPAF), e 56 (27,1 por cento) por arma branca (FAB). Em relação aos pacientes submetidos à JPTD, o ferimento foi causado por FPAF em 26 (68,4 por cento). O método JPSX teve uma sensibilidade de 97,5 por cento, especificidade de 95,8 por cento, e uma acurácia de 96,1 por cento. A JPTD resultou numa sensibilidade de 100 por cento, especificidade de 97 por cento e 97,4 por cento de acurácia. Em 8 pacientes (3,3 por cento) o resultado foi falso-positivo. Houve um único caso (2,6 por cento) de complicação diretamente relacionada à JPTD. CONCLUSÕES: Ambas as técnicas apresentaram um bom resultado, com alta sensibilidade e especificidade. Entretanto, estes procedimentos cirúrgicos devem ser efetuados com cuidado, a fim de evitar resultados falso-positivos.

Intrapericardial Diaphragmatic Hernia Associated With Cardiac Tamponade

Herniation of intra-abdominal contents into the pericardial cavity is rare. We observed a delayed intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernia presenting as a tamponade secondary to a previous pericardioperitoneal window for drainage of a pericardial effusion. The diagnosis of an intrapericardial hernia should be considered in patients presenting with gastrointestinal and/or cardiorespiratory symptoms following surgical procedures involving the diaphragm.

Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery(VATS) of Pericardial Window Operation / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Pericardial effusions result from various conditions such as inflammation, malignancies, open heart surgery and uremia. Recently, video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has been used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in the management of pericardial effusion and intrathoracic lesions due to its ability to provide outstanding visibility of intrathoracic structures with less pain, superior cosmetic effects, and shorter hospital stay. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From April 1995 to October 2001, 51 patients received pericardial window operation via either thoracoscopic(Group A, n=37, m:f=18:19, mean age=56.4 yrs)or thoracotomy approach(Group B, n=14, m:f=8:6, mean age=58.4 yrs). RESULT: In group A, the operation time, duration of chest tube insertion, recurrence rate of pericardial effusion, and postoperative hospital stay were 61.2 minutes, 9.3 days, 2.7%, 16.2 days, respectively while in group B these values were 58.4 minutes, 12.2 days, 7.1%, and 17.3 days. The number of injections for pain control in group A were 4.2 times, whereas in group B it was 6.3 times. Although there was a tendency for the mean hospital stay and duration of chest tube insertion to be shorter in group A than in group B, these differences did not reach statistical significance. There was also no significant difference in the operation time and recurrence rate between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The safety and effectiveness of VATS in the management of pericardial effusion is comparable to the open thoracotomy method. It allows for a shorter hospital stay, duration of chest tube insertion, lesser postoperative pain and a smaller skin incision.

The Role of Percutaneous Balloon Pericardial Window Formation for Malignant Pericardial Effusion

BACKGROUND: There are several ways to treat for recurrent pericardial effussion and cardiac tamponade due to malignancy. They are repeated pericardiocentesis, pericardial instillation of sclerosing and chemotherapeutic agents, surgical creation of a pericardial window and transthoracic pericardiectomy. Surgical techniques are usually effective but bear a significant morbidity and mortality especially in chronic debilitating cancer patients. So percutaneous balloon pericardial window as an alternative to surgery in these patients. METHODS: After pericardiocentesis was performed, a 0.035 inch J-tip guidewire was advanced into the pericardial space. And a pigtail catheter was advanced over the wire. A moderate amount of pericardial fluid were removed. A nd then the pigtail catheter was withdrawn and 8F sheath was inserted. A20mm diameter, 4cm long(Single balloon method) or two 10mm diameter, 4cm long balloon dilating catheter(Double balloon medium) was advanced over the wire to straddle the parietal pericardial border though the sheath. Several inflations of the balloon with a solution containing 50% radiographic contrast medium were performed until disappearance of the balloon waist. After balloon dilation, contrast medium from the pericardial space to subcutaneous tisse suggesting successful PBPWF. Single ballon method was employed in 4 patients and Dould balloon method in 2 patients. RESULT: We performed percutaneous balloon pericardial window formation in 6 patiemts with malignant pericardial effusion. We did percutaneous balloon pericardial window formation successfully in 5 patients and failed due to adhesion of parietal pericardium in 1 patient. One patient developed recurrent pericardial effusion with tamponade at a mean follow-up of 11.49.6 months(1.5-26 months). Conclusion: These results suggest that PBPWF is an alternative method less invasive than subxiphoid surgical windowing, espesially in critically ill patients with recurrent malignant pericardial effussion. It carries less risks and has more constant effect than repeated pericardiocentesis.