title: Measurement of evoked diaphragm twitch strength during anaesthesia. Adaptation and evaluation of an existing technique.
abstract: The technique of recording the mechanical response of the diaphragm after the transcutaneous stimulation of the phrenic nerve, during anaesthesia and surgery, is described in patients undergoing non-abdominal surgery. The pressure difference generated across the diaphragm after phrenic nerve stimulation was derived from the simultaneous recording of gastric and oesophageal pressures with air-filled balloon catheter systems. This was recorded as the diaphragm "twitch" in a manner similar to that of peripheral muscles. Special problems encountered in the use and the validation of the technique in the anaesthetized patient are considered.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Anaesthesia, Leicester Royal Infirmary.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Derrington
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hindocha
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000502:physiology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000379:methods; D004947:Esophagus / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D010791:Phrenic Nerve / Q000502:physiology; D011312:Pressure; D013270:Stomach / Q000502:physiology