Absent Pericardium Causing Extreme Levoposition in a Child.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Congenital Heart Disease
• Surgical Anatomy

Background:

• Congenital heart defects (CHDs) require surgical intervention, often involving complex anatomical considerations.
• Preoperative imaging may not always reveal all intraoperative anatomical anomalies.
• The pericardium is a vital sac protecting the heart, and its absence is a rare anomaly.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of incidental absence of the pericardium discovered during surgical repair of a congenital heart defect.
• To emphasize the importance of intraoperative vigilance for unexpected anatomical variations.
• To contribute to the understanding of pericardial anomalies in pediatric cardiac surgery.

Main Methods:

• Case report detailing a surgical scenario.
• Intraoperative observation during congenital heart defect repair.
• Review of relevant anatomical and surgical literature.

Main Results:

• Absence of the pericardium was identified during the surgical repair of a sinus venosus defect in a pediatric patient.
• The anomaly did not significantly complicate the primary surgical repair.
• Intraoperative findings underscore the potential for unpredicted anatomical variations.

Conclusions:

• The absence of the pericardium, though rare, can be encountered during congenital heart defect surgery.
• Intraoperative awareness is crucial for managing unexpected anatomical findings.
• This case highlights the need for thorough surgical preparation and adaptability in pediatric cardiac surgery.