Diagnostic Transdiaphragmatic Pericardiotomy in Thoracoabdominal Trauma

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Abstract
Sixty patients with combined thoracoabdominal trauma underwent diagnostic transdiaphragmatic pericardiotomy to assess possible cardiac injury. Injuries were from penetration in 53 patients and from blunt trauma in seven. Transdiaphragmatic pericardiotomy was positive in 19 patients with 17 subsequently having documented cardiac injury. This technique is a safe and rapid method of evaluation for patients with combined thoracoabdominal injury who have an injury in proximity to the heart, or unexplained hypotension occurring during an abdominal exploratory operation.

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