Pericardial tamponade: a life threatening complication of laparoscopic gastro-oesophageal surgery.

Laparoscopic surgical procedures involving the gastro-oesophageal region are commonly performed for the management of morbid obesity and refractory gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). In general, laparoscopic procedures are associated with lower morbidity and mortality in comparison with open techniques. This report highlights cases of potentially life threatening, late onset pericardial tamponade, occurring in the absence of infection or trauma, complicating laparoscopic gastro-oesophageal surgery. Possible mechanisms, clinical manifestations, diagnostic investigations and management of pericardial tamponade are reviewed.