[Minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of malignant pleuro-pericardial effusions].

INTRODUCTION: Malignant pleuro-pericardial effusions (MPPEs) are a common problem in the treatment of patients with cancer and may occur with any malignancy.

METHODS: Between 01.01.1998 -31.12.2008 we conducted a retrospective study. During this period of time 46 patients were diagnosed and treated for malignant pleuro-pericardial effusions in Clinic of Thoracic Surgery under Prof. Teodor Horvat coordination (from SUUMC).

RESULTS: In this study a total of 42 MPPEs have been approached through minimally invasive procedures (36 patients underwent thoracoscopic procedures and 6 patients were subjected to VATS). In our study, the pulmonary cancers were the most frequent primary cancers who caused MPPEs (22 cases). The thoracoscopic pleuro-pericardial window was the most frequent and efficient procedure used for pericardial drainage (34 cases). Effective control of the recurent malignant pleural and pericardial effusions was made most frequent through postoperative pleural bleomycin instillation (22 cases) and through thoracoscopic insufflation of talc in 14 cases.

CONCLUSIONS: The minimally invasive thoracic surgery is a safe and efficient method for diagnosis and treatment of pleuro-pericardial effusions.