title: Results of diaphragmatic plication for unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis.
abstract: Seven adult patients with dyspnea resulting from nonmalignant unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis underwent plication of the affected hemidiaphragm. Preoperatively, the patients complained of exertional dyspnea and orthopnea and had a reduced arterial oxygen tension, total lung capacity, vital capacity, expiratory reserve volume, and functional residual capacity. Plication was performed by imbricating the diaphragm in layers through a thoracotomy. After plication there was a significant increase in arterial oxygen tension and all lung volumes except residual volume. The patients' symptoms were improved with plication and a significant decrease was recorded in breathlessness on a visual analogue scale. There were no postoperative complications and mean hospital stay was 12 days.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000601:surgery*; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D005082:Physical Exertion; D011187:Posture; D011859:Radiography; D012133:Respiratory Paralysis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D010100:Oxygen