The value of pericardial window in preventing pericardial effusion after cardiac surgery

Background: Pericardial window (PW) is a technique that allows the passage of fluid from pericardial to pleural cavity reduce postoperative effusion. The purpose this study was evaluate effectiveness in decreasing effusions after cardiac surgery.
 Methods: included 400 adult patients who underwent surgery 2017 2020. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups; group 200 posterior pericardiotomy, and control did not undergo procedure.
 Results: Preoperative data comparable between both groups. More PW had chest tube drainage more than 500 cc/ 24 hours (40 (20%) vs. 5 (2.5%), respectively; p=0.005). cc/24 or mediastinal lower (10 (5%) 40 groups, p<0.001). Early collection occurred 6 (3%) 46 (23%) (p<0.001), no patient late effusion 26 (13%) (p< 0.001). Six atrial fibrillation 12 (6%) (p= 0.23). Pulmonary complications nonsignificantly higher (Lung collapse: (13%); p=0.08 effusion: 34 (17%) p= 0.3, respectively).
 Conclusion: Posterior pericardiotomy simple could effusion, fibrillation, tamponade. increase compared standard method.