Is diaphragmatic elevation a serious complication of open-heart surgery?
Diaphragmatic elevation or paralysis after open-heart surgery was retrospectively analyzed in 370 consecutive operations performed on 365 adult patients. The incidence of the complication was 7.2%. It was significantly correlated with ipsilateral pleural effusion and lower-lobe atelectasis, but no predisposing or causal factors could be identified. Diaphragmatic elevation did not prolong the hospital stay. Actuarial analysis of data from follow-up chest radiograms showed normalization of the diaphragmatic position within 6 months in 44% and within a year in 90% of the patients.
Bogers
J J
JJ
Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital, Leiden, the Netherlands.
Nierop
G
G
Bakker
W
W
Huysmans
H A
HA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D003965:Diaphragmatic Eventration / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D010791:Phrenic Nerve / Q000293:injuries; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012307:Risk Factors