[Personal experience with the treatment of pericardial effusion using pericardial fenestration]

The author discusses experience with treatment of pericardial exudates of different aetiology in 11 patients aged 5-54 years. In seven patients they performed fenestration and external drainage of the pericardial cavity from a subxyphoid approach and in four by a pleurocardial window from left-sided thoracotomy. They did not record any per or postoperative complications or deaths. The best surgical approach, in particular in patients with a pericardial exudate and a poor general condition is pericardial fenestration with external drainage from a subxyphoid approach.