Thoracotomy and Pericardial Window Construction Treatment in India
About Thoracotomy and Pericardial Window Construction
Key Highlights
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Provides definitive, long-term relief from recurrent pericardial effusions and cardiac tamponade.Direct surgical access allows for thorough drainage and visual inspection of the pericardial space.Can be performed as a minimally invasive procedure (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery or VATS) in many cases, reducing recovery time.Enables biopsy of the pericardium or surrounding tissues to diagnose the underlying cause of the effusion.Effectively prevents the recurrence of life-threatening cardiac compression.
Who is this surgery for?
- Cardiac tamponade, a medical emergency where fluid compresses the heart.
- Large, symptomatic, or recurrent pericardial effusions not responsive to medical therapy or pericardiocentesis.
- Effusions suspected to be malignant (cancer-related) or purulent (infected).
- Constrictive pericarditis where a window is created as part of a broader pericardiectomy.
- Diagnostic need for a pericardial or pleural biopsy to determine the cause of the effusion.
- Traumatic hemopericardium (blood in the pericardial sac) that is recurrent or unstable.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive pre-operative evaluation including blood tests, chest X-ray, ECG, and echocardiogram to confirm the effusion and assess heart function.
- Imaging such as a CT scan or MRI may be performed to plan the surgical approach.
- Discussion of anesthesia risks and obtaining informed consent.
- Fasting for 6-8 hours before the surgery as directed.
- Adjustment or temporary cessation of certain medications like blood thinners (aspirin, warfarin) under medical guidance.
- Pre-operative counseling regarding the procedure, risks, and recovery expectations.
Risks & possible complications
- General surgical risks: Bleeding, infection at the incision site, and adverse reactions to anesthesia.
- Injury to surrounding structures: Lungs (causing a pneumothorax or air leak), phrenic nerve (affecting diaphragm function), or coronary arteries.
- Recurrence of the pericardial effusion if the window closes.
- Post-pericardiotomy syndrome, an inflammatory response causing fever and chest pain.
- Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats).
- Pain and discomfort at the incision site, which is managed with medication.
- Rarely, progression to constrictive pericarditis.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial recovery in the hospital's intensive care unit (ICU) or step-down unit for close monitoring of heart and lung function.
- Chest tubes are placed to drain fluid and air; they are removed once drainage subsides.
- Pain management with medications to facilitate deep breathing and coughing to prevent lung complications.
- Encouragement to walk and move gradually to prevent blood clots and promote healing.
- Incision care instructions will be provided, including keeping the area clean and dry.
- Follow-up appointments are crucial to monitor healing, remove stitches/staples, and assess heart function with an echocardiogram.
- Avoidance of heavy lifting and strenuous activities for several weeks as advised by the surgeon.
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Typical hospital stay:
5-10 days
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Expected recovery time:
4-8 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering thoracotomy and pericardial window construction in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for thoracotomy and pericardial window construction in India include Miot Hospital Chennai, Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform thoracotomy and pericardial window construction. MediFyr helps you compare cardiac surgeons and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for thoracotomy and pericardial window construction compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Thoracotomy and Pericardial Window Construction in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated cardiac surgery teams and experience managing patients undergoing thoracotomy and pericardial window construction.
Hyderabad, India
20 Doctors
Ishaan Garcia, a 58-year-old construction foreman...
Ishaan Garcia, a 58-year-old construction foreman and father of three, had always been healthy until a persistent cough and crushing chest pain sent him to the ER. A CT scan revealed a large, malignant pericardial effusion, fluid around his heart caused by metastatic lung cancer. His oncologist explained that the fluid was dangerously compressing his heart, a condition called cardiac tamponade, and recommended an urgent thoracotomy with pericardial window construction to drain the fluid and prevent it from re-accumulating. Ishaan was terrified, fearing the surgery more than his cancer diagnosis. The procedure was physically grueling; the post-operative pain from the chest incision was severe, and a chest tube remained for several days. However, the relief was immediate, he could breathe deeply again without pain. The recovery was slow, intertwined with starting chemotherapy, but the window successfully managed the effusion. Emotionally, he moved from a state of acute fear and feeling betrayed by his body to one of grim determination. The procedure gave him a crucial foothold in his larger cancer fight, allowing him to focus on treatment and precious time with his family.
Cardiac surgeons for Thoracotomy and Pericardial Window Construction
Explore experienced cardiac surgeons who regularly perform thoracotomy and pericardial window construction and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 31 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiac surgeon
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 37 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 30 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
- 31 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 30 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 23 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Mysore, Mysore
- 13 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 23 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 37 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 8 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 11 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 17 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 11 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore