Pericardiectomy

Term: PericardiectomyDefinition: A surgical procedure to remove part or all of the pericardium, the membrane surrounding the heart, often performed to relieve symptoms caused by pericardial thickening or fluid accumulation.Phonetic Pronunciation: (per-i-kar-DIEK-tuh-mee)Origin: The term 'pericardiectomy' is derived from the Greek words 'peri,' meaning around, 'kardia,' meaning heart, and 'ektome,' meaning excision. This reflects the procedure's focus on removing tissue around the heart.Significance in Asbestos Context: Pericardiectomy may be necessary for asbestos-exposed individuals who develop pericardial mesothelioma, a rare but serious condition where the pericardium becomes affected by cancerous growths. This surgery can alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life for affected patients.Example Sentence: After being diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, the patient underwent a pericardiectomy to remove the cancerous tissue surrounding his heart.Related Terms: Pericardial mesothelioma, asbestos-related disease, cardiothoracic surgery, pleural effusion, thoracotomy.Notes: - Pericardiectomy is a major surgical procedure and may have significant recovery time. - Not all cases of pericardial disease related to asbestos exposure require pericardiectomy. - The procedure may be combined with other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.