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Off-pump Pericardiectomy Using an Ultrasonic Scalpel and a Heart Positioner

Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto, Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan

For reprint information contact: Atsushi Fukumoto, MD, Tel: 81 75 251 5752, Fax: 81 75 257 5910, Email: fukumoto{at}koto.kpu-m.ac.jp, Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Kawaramachi-Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan.

The surgical treatment of constrictive pericarditis often requires extensive pericardial dissection under cardiopulmonary bypass. We performed a pericardiectomy in a patient with constrictive pericarditis without cardiopulmonary bypass, with assistance of a sternal retractor and a suction heart positioner. The severely calcified pericardium, which adhered tightly to the epicardium, was dissected with an ultrasonic scalpel. The operation was completed without blood transfusion. There was no malignant arrhythmia.