• Jalal Assouad, Hicham Masmoudi, Jesus Gonzalez-Bermejo, Capucine Morélot-Panzini, Moustapha Diop, Dominique Grunenwald, and Thomas Similowski.
• Department of Thoracic Surgery, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France. jalal.assouad@tnn.aphp.fr
• Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2012 Aug 1; 42 (2): 333-9.

ObjectivesPhrenic nerve stimulation for diaphragm pacing allows patients with central respiratory paralysis to be weaned from mechanical ventilation. Two procedures are available, either intrathoracic (bilateral thoracotomy) or intradiaphragmatic (four ports laparoscopy). The present experimental work assesses the feasibility, safety and efficacy of a trans-mediastinal implantation of intradiaphragmatic phenic nerve stimulation electrodes using a flexible gastroscope through a cervical incision.MethodsWe operated on nine ewes. After selective bronchial intubation, we dissected the latero-tracheal space and opened both mediastinal pleura. We then introduced a flexible gastroscope into the pleural cavities, in a sequential manner. The phrenic nerves were located and followed up to the diaphragm dome. Electrodes loaded within a long, pliable needle were introduced through the adjacent intercostal space and implanted in each hemidiaphragm, at a 'tendinous' location (as close as possible to the entry of the nerve in the central tendon), and at a more lateral 'muscular' location. Postoperatively, the animals were ventilated using bilateral phrenic nerve stimulation. After euthanasia, abdominal verification of the electrodes position was performed through a laparotomy.ResultsThe mediastinal and pleural parts of the procedure were uneventful. The insertion of electrodes was associated with transdiaphragmatic puncture and small abdominal haematomas in the first two animals studied. After a slight modification of the insertion technique, this was not observed anymore. Phrenic nerve stimulation produced efficient ventilation, with tidal volumes significantly higher when delivered at the tendinous site than at the muscular site.ConclusionsThe trans-mediastinal implantation of intradiaphragmatic phrenic nerve stimulation electrodes is feasible, appears reasonably safe, and allows efficient ventilation.

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