Waffle Procedure via Left Anterolateral Thoracotomy for a Tuberculous Constrictive Pericarditis Patient

Abstract

We present the case of a 72-year-old man with constrictive pericarditis due to tuberculous pericarditis, who was treated with the waffle procedure via left anterolateral thoracotomy. The preoperative catheterization study showed the dip-and-plateau pattern, and the echocardiographic study shown the thickened pericardium and dilatation impairment. The surgery was able to be performed without cardiopulmonary bypass. The thickened pericardium was abraded with a Harmonic Scalpel. The waffle procedure was effective in this patient. The postoperative course was good, with improvement of NYHA status and cardiac pressure study results. We suggest that this procedure is useful for the patients with constrictive pericarditis.