Video thoracoscopic management of benign and malignant pericardial effusions.

Surgical management of symptomatic benign and malignant effusive pericarditis is often required. Twenty-two patients with medically recalcitrant effusive, nonconstrictive pericarditis underwent pericardial resection by a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical (VATS) technique (9 malignant, 13 benign). Pericardiectomy, resulting in complete drainage of the pericardial space and control of patient symptoms was accomplished routinely. Ipsilateral pleural effusions, originally present in 11 patients, were also managed. The VATS pericardiectomy was well tolerated even by gravely ill patients. This approach should be considered as an alternative to lateral thoracotomy or subxiphoid pericardial window for the surgical management of patients with symptomatic benign and malignant pericardial effusions.