The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 43, 335-336, Copyright © 1987 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Technique for implantation of phrenic nerve electrodes
L Wetstein
Permanent ventilatory support is necessary in patients with upper motor
neuron respiratory muscle paralysis and central alveolar hypoventilation.
Weaning these patients from chronic ventilation is extremely advantageous.
Diaphragm pacing accomplishes this goal. In the past implantation of
phrenic nerve electrodes has been undesirable either because the procedure
is too extensive or because of the high failure rates. This report
describes a simple, expeditious, and uniformly successful technique for
bilateral phrenic nerve electrode placement.