Blunt trauma-induced pericardial tamponade after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

We report a case of blunt cardiac injury and pericardial tamponade following video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in a lung cancer patient with hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy. Anatomical findings included massive hemorrhage in the pericardium, cardiac hypertrophy, and a superficial contusion with a ruptured blood vessel on the epicardium at the lateral wall of the left ventricle. The patient died of pericardial tamponade due to blunt trauma from the tip of the thoracoscopic instrument. This case suggests that detailed assessment of the cardiovascular system, especially cardiac hypertrophy, careful preparation before surgery and careful monitoring of postoperative conditions are important.
Source: The Annals of Thoracic Surgery - Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Source Type: research