Pericardial Effusion as an Unusual Complication of Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair: A Case Report.

Abstract

Pericarditis is a well-recognized complication of cardiac surgery and myocardial injury; however, it is rarely reported following non-cardiac procedures. The mechanisms underlying postoperative pericardial inflammation in such cases remain poorly defined. This case report is about a patient who developed a pericardial effusion two weeks after repair of a ventral hernia in the midline with a laparoscopic technique. No evidence of infection, malignancy, autoimmune disease, or myocardial injury was found. This case report discusses the possible etiologies, pathophysiologic mechanisms, and treatment of pericardial effusion after non-cardiac surgery.