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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2002;21:92-93
© 2002 Elsevier Science NL

How-to-do-it

The use of pedicled pleural flaps for the repair of pericardial defects, resulting after intrapericardial pneumonectomy

2nd Department of Thoracic Surgery, Chest Diseases Hospital ‘Sotiria’, Messogion Avenue, 11527 Athens, Greece

Received 15 June 2001; received in revised form 17 October 2001; accepted 22 October 2001.

* Corresponding author. 12 Garefi Street, 11525 Athens, Greece. Tel.: +30-106779693
e-mail: foroulis{at}internet.gr

We report our technique for the repair of large pericardial defects resulting after intrapericardial pneumonectomy for locally advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma, using pedicled pleural flaps. Creation of a pedicled pleural flap, large enough to cover the pericardial defect, performing blunt dissection of parietal pleura from the inferior edge of the thoracotomy incision and suturing it in the defect margins, is an easy, safe and effective technique for the prevention of cardiac herniation. Pedicled pleural flaps are an excellent material, not very popular nowadays, for the repair of pericardial defects resulting after intrapericardial pneumonectomy, when it is possible to create a pleural flap.

Key Words: Surgical treatment • Non-small cell lung carcinoma • Intrapericardial pneumonectomy • Pericardial defect • Pericardial gap • Pleural flap