Laparoscopic transdiaphragmatic diagnostic pericardial window in the hemodynamically stable patient with penetrating chest trauma. A brief report.

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.