One of the most commonly performed VATS procedures in dogs is pericardectomy. The objective of pericardectomy is to excise enough pericardium to eliminate tamponade and to obtain a histologic diagnosis of the patient's condition. The surgeon must decide how much pericardium to excise when considering pericardectomy. In palliative cases such as those associated with neoplastic effusions, a 4 x 4 cm pericardial window appears to be adequate unless right auriculectomy is being considered. With presumedidiopathic cases, a complete pericardioscopic evaluation is necessary to reduce the chance of a missed diagnosis and a larger pericardectomy is indicated.1'7 Because masses are common on the right auricle and heart base, the surgeon must have adequate experience and understanding of the pericardial anatomy prior to performing pericardoscopy, auriculectomy or epicardial biopsy.
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