title: Video-assisted thoracoscopy for diaphragmatic plication: experimental study in a canine model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Plication of a nonfunctional hemidiaphragm usually restores altered ventilatory mechanics. This study compared two techniques in performing diaphragmatic plication: video-assisted thoracoscopy (group A) and thoracotomy (group B).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty dogs with induced paralysis of the right hemidiaphragm were randomly assigned to one of the two groups. Evaluations were performed before and after plication of the respiratory frequency (f) and lung area (LA) of the affected side. Operative time, time to resumption of walking, ingestion of fluids and solid food, pain intensity, and postoperative complications were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Group A had less pain after the surgery (P < 0.0001), earlier fluid ingestion (P < 0.05), and earlier resumption of walking (P < 0.019). Four weeks after the procedure, LA was similar in both groups, while a significant decrease in f was recorded in group A (P < 0.02). The remaining evaluated variables showed no differences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both approaches were effective. Pain recorded in the postoperative period was less and recovery was faster in group A. Complications and surgical times were similar. The video-assisted thoracoscopy is a safe and efficient option for performing diaphragmatic plication in dogs.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico City, Mexico. govi0109@prodigy.net.mx
authors.forename: Jose F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Gonzalez-Zamora
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Perez-Guille
authors.forename: Rosa E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Soriano-Rosales
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Jimenez-Bravo-Luna
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gutierrez-Castrellon
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ridaura-Sanz
authors.forename: Fernando Villegas
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Alvarez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003965:Diaphragmatic Eventration / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000175:diagnosis; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011897:Random Allocation; D012133:Respiratory Paralysis / Q000601:surgery*; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000379:methods*