Percutaneous aspiration of large pericardial cysts prior to VATS excision

We report two cases of large congenital pericardial cysts measuring (65 x 80 x 115) mm and (60 x 65 x 100) mm respectively,diagnosed by chest x-ray,computed tomography (ct) of the chest,and clarified more by echocardiography. both 2 cases were treated by video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (vats) where percutaneous aspiration of the cyst was performed to make subsequent cyst excision easier by clarifying the surgical anatomy of the field and giving room for manipulation.this technique avoids thoracotomy as an alternative option for treating large pericardial cyst. the postoperative courses were uneventful for both patient. © 2015 dar publishers/the university of jordan. all rights reserved.