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Long-term effect of bilateral plication of the diaphragm.

STUDY OBJECTIVES
To assess the feasibility and clinical outcome of bilateral plication of the diaphragm in patients with bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis (BDP) caused by neuralgic amyotrophy (NA), a mononeuritis of the phrenic nerves.


DESIGN
Prospective, case-control study over a 1-year period.


SETTING
A university hospital in The Netherlands.


PATIENTS
Six patients who presented with BDP caused by NA.


METHODS
The diagnosis of BDP was based on the absence of muscle response after cervical magnetic stimulation of both phrenic nerves. Three patients did not undergo surgery but were observed for a period of 2 years, and the other three patients underwent a limited lateral thoracotomy at the eighth intercostal space. Plication was performed by U-stitches until the diaphragm was as tight as possible. Vital capacity (VC) and arterial blood gas was measured during follow-up.


RESULTS
One month postoperatively, mean VC measured in the supine position was significantly improved by 17%, and this effect was sustained for 12 months. Arterial PO(2) increased by 45%. VC and blood gas levels did not improve in the three patients that were only observed during the 2-year period. All three surgical patients could sleep in the supine position after the operation.


CONCLUSION
Bilateral plication of the diaphragm for NA-induced paralysis results in improvement of ventilation and blood gas exchange, allowing patients to sleep in the supine position without dyspnea.