Annals of surgical oncology
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Before 1983 we routinely used subxiphoid drainage for the management of pericardial effusions. Pericardial-pleural window through a left anterior thoracotomy was used in selected patients. Due to frustration over the rate of recurrent pericardial effusions with subxiphoid drainage alone and concern over the higher morbidity with thoracotomy, the creation of a 3-cm pericardial-peritoneal window in the fused portion of the pericardium and diaphragm overlying the left lobe of the liver was added to subxiphoid drainage in 1983. ⋯ Pericardial-peritoneal window is a simple, safe, and effective procedure and applicable to most patients with malignant and noninfectious benign pericardial effusion, including those with tamponade.