title: Thoracoscopic plication for idiopathic eventration of the bilateral diaphragm: Report of a case.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diaphragmatic eventration, defined as permanent elevation of the diaphragm without defects, is a rare anomaly in adults. Trauma, neoplasms, infection, and degenerative disease are the most common causes of this condition, whereas idiopathic eventration of the diaphragm is relatively infrequent.
  
  
  METHODS
  We herein present the rare case of an 85-year-old female with idiopathic eventration of the bilateral diaphragm. The patient demonstrated a rapidly progressive course with dyspnea; therefore, thoracoscopic surgery of the unilateral diaphragm was performed. She subsequently withdrew from home oxygen therapy, which had introduced preoperatively, and exhibited a significant improvement in her pulmonary function for one year after the operation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Various approaches for diaphragmatic plication have been reported, including open (transthoracic or transabdominal) and minimally invasive methods, such as thoracoscopic or laparoscopic plication. We consider thoracoscopic plication to be an effective minimally invasive method, although single-lung ventilation is required.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We experienced a case in which thoracoscopic plication of the unilateral diaphragm resulted in adequate objective improvements in the pulmonary function in a patient with idiopathic eventration of the bilateral diaphragm.
authors: Department of Chest Surgery, Onga Nakama Medical Association Onga Hospital, 1725-2 Oaza-Ozaki Ongacho, Onga-gun, Fukuoka 811-4342, Japan. Electronic address: y-ichiki@med.uoeh-u.ac.jp.
authors: Yoshinobu
authors: Y
authors: Ichiki
authors: Department of Surgery, Onga Nakama Medical Association Onga Hospital,Onga-gun, Japan.
authors: Shotaro
authors: S
authors: Korehisa
authors: Department of Surgery, Onga Nakama Medical Association Onga Hospital,Onga-gun, Japan.
authors: Junji
authors: J
authors: Kawasaki
authors: Department of Surgery, Onga Nakama Medical Association Onga Hospital,Onga-gun, Japan.
authors: Takayuki
authors: T
authors: Hamatsu
authors: Department of Emergency, Onga Nakama Medical Association Onga Hospital,Onga-gun, Japan.
authors: Taketoshi
authors: T
authors: Suehiro
authors: Department of Radiology, Onga Nakama Medical Association Onga Hospital, Onga-gun, Japan.
authors: Makiko
authors: M
authors: Koike
authors: Second Department of Surgery, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Kitakyushu, Japan.
authors: Fumihiro
authors: F
authors: Tanaka
authors: Department of Surgery, Onga Nakama Medical Association Onga Hospital,Onga-gun, Japan.
authors: Keizo
authors: K
authors: Sugimachi
keywords: Diaphragm; VATS