Surgical issues in giant right ventricular fibroma
Brojendra N Agarwala1, Joanne P Starr, Eloise Walker
1Section of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Chicago Children's Hospital, Illinois 60637, USA.
Insights
A rare cardiac fibroma was surgically removed from a 3-year-old child. The patient recovered well, highlighting the importance of planning for potential right ventricular failure after such procedures.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Pediatric Oncology
Background:
- Cardiac fibromas are rare, benign tumors predominantly affecting infants and children.
- Surgical resection is the primary treatment for symptomatic or large cardiac fibromas.
Observation:
- A 3-year-old asymptomatic child presented with a giant right ventricular (RV) fibroma.
- The tumor's significant size raised concerns regarding potential RV free wall resection during surgery.
Findings:
- Complete surgical resection of the giant RV fibroma was successfully performed.
- The child is recovering well postoperatively with no immediate complications.
Implications:
- Giant cardiac fibromas, though benign, necessitate meticulous surgical planning.
- Contingency strategies for managing potential postoperative right ventricular failure are crucial for optimal patient outcomes.
Abstract:
Cardiac fibroma is a rare and benign tumor usually seen in infants and children. We report a 3-year-old asymptomatic child who presented with a giant right ventricular (RV) fibroma. He underwent complete surgical resection and is doing well at follow-up. Because of the size of the tumor and the potential need for resection of RV free wall, it is essential to have contingency plans to deal with postoperative RV failure.
