Placement of pericardial drainage tube for the treatment of pneumopericardium in the neonate.

A method for resolving the life-threatening complication of neonatal pneumopericardium is described. In patients suspected of having this complication, needle aspiration of the pericardial sac should be performed to confirm the diagnosis. Then a tube should be inserted directly into the sac, attached to continuous-suction drainage, and allowed to remain in place until positive end-expiratory pressure is discontinued. The technique has not been associated with morbidity, mortality, or recurrence of pneumopericardium.