Subxiphoid Tube Drainage In Pericardial Effusion Treatment

Inthisstudy,theoutcomes of subxiphoid pericardial tube drainage technique were eveluated in patients with pericardial effusion. 39 patients with pericardial effusion admitted toour clinic between January 2007 - December 2010 were treated with subxiphoid pericardial tube drainag etechnique. 16 of patients were femaleand 23 were male and their ages were between 17 to 83 years. The procedure was carried out with local anesthesia and sedation in all patients. There was no mortality in any patients. Average drainag evolume was 1050 ml. Recurrent pericardial effusion requiring repeated surgical in tervention was observed in 2 patients. Subxiphoid pericardial tube drainage is a effective and safetechnique for treatment of pericardial effusion.