Postpericardiotomy syndrome and chylopericardium: two unusual complications after aortopexy for tracheomalacia

In two boys (aged 10 years and 7 months), large symptomatic pericardial effusions developed after aortopexy for tracheomalacia. Both patients underwent percutaneous pericardial drainage. The delayed presentation (3 weeks postoperatively) and associated findings in the 10 year old were typical of postpericardiotomy syndrome, and he had an uneventful recovery after a course of aspirin therapy. The 7 month old had chylopericardium and was treated with pericardial drainage and a low-fat, medium-chain triglyceride diet. Both cases represent previously unreported complications of aortopexy.