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Ann Thorac Surg 1980;30:118-121
© 1980 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

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Articles

Neurogenic Respiratory Failure: A 5-Year Experience Using Implantable Phrenic Nerve Stimulators

From the Departments of Surgery, Rehabilitation, and Pediatrics, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (Stanford University School of Medicine), San Jose, CA

^* Address reprint requests to Dr. Oakes, Associate Chief of General Surgery, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, 751 S Bascom Ave, San Jose, CA 95128

During the past 5 years, 20 phrenic nerve stimulators have been implanted in 11 patients who were ventilator dependent because of neurogenic respiratory failure. Ten patients had traumatic spinal cord lesions; the remaining patient suffered from a progressive demyelinating disease. There was no operative mortality. Complications included 1 stimulator malfunction and 1 pneumothorax. In spite of adjacent tracheostomies, there were no infections or wound complications. Of the 20 stimulators implanted, 13 initially produced good diaphragmatic function, 2 had fair function, and 5 had little or no function. Three patients became completely independent of their ventilators; 6 became partially independent, thus simplifying nursing care. There were no late complications. As of December, 1979, 7 patients had benefited or were continuing to benefit from phrenic nerve stimulation.

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