Thoracoscopic resection of a pericardial cyst ; report of a case

Abstract

A routine chest x-ray film of a 54-year-old man showed an abnormal shadow in the right cardiophrenic angle. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a pericardial cyst. The cyst was resected in a thoracoscopic procedure. Under the left hemi-lateral position, 4 Surgi ports were inserted through the 4th, 5th and 6th intercostal spaces in the anterior axillary line and 5th intercostal space in the mid-clavicular line. The pericardial cyst was punctured, and its content was confirmed to be serous fluid. The cyst was dissected from its upper side with scissors, and all bleeding points were electrocauterized. There were no fenestrations between the cyst and the pericardial space. The operation time was 120 minutes. The patient was discharged on the 14th postoperative day. Thoracoscopic resection is less invasive and causes less blood loss, and the hospital stay is shorter.