Long-Term Outcomes after Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Pericardiectomy for Pericardial Effusion

Chronic or recurrent pericardial effusion is often associated with malignant disease. However, there have been few reports of the long-term outcomes after video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) pericardiectomy. We have performed it since 1992, and report our procedure and outcomes.

Patients who underwent VATS pericardiectomy were investigated.

In all, 29 patients (12 men; median age: 61 (23-88) years) were evaluated; 8 had no malignancies and 21 did. Preoperative performance status (PS) scores were as follows: 1, 11 patients; 2, 10 patients; 3, 5 patients; and 4, 2 patients. One patient with malignancy died intraoperatively. PS improved significantly after the procedure (p = 0.0163). Median survival times were 5360 days in the nonmalignant group, 160 days in the malignant group, 209 days in breast cancer patients, and 62 days in other malignancy patients. The nonmalignant group had significantly longer survival than the malignant group (p = 0.0015). Most cases had uneventful postoperative courses. No recurrent pericardial effusions have been observed.

In cases of nonmalignant pericardial effusion, long-term survival is expected following VATS pericardiectomy. Malignant pericardial effusion has a poor prognosis, but most cases maintain good PS. However, early postoperative death may occur, and it is important to select patients carefully.