THORACOSCOPIC APPROACH FOR PERICARDIAL-EF FUSIONS

We report the technique of pericardial approach through the thoracosco pe. This approach has several advantages. Extensive pericardial fenest ration can be performed as well as pericardoscopy whenever indicated a nd additional biopsies such as mediastinal or lung parenchyma biopsies . Among the 12 patients operated on, the procedure was possible in all but one case. When there is no contraindication to selective tracheal intubation or lateral positioning, the thoracoscopic approach is the method of choice. In other cases, the subxiphoid approach remains indi cated.