VATS Diaphragm Plication

Elevated diaphragm can be due to diaphragmatic eventration or diaphragm paralysis. Diaphragm paralysis is a rare condition that can be congenital or acquired. Acquired diaphragmatic paralysis can result from injury to the phrenic nerve. Subsequently, there is loss of contractility of the diaphragm muscle leading to progressive atrophy and, hence, distension of the dome of the diaphragm leading to elevated right, left, or both copula of the diaphragm. Diaphragm plication aims to return the abdominal contents back to their normal position and allow for greater lung expansion by reducing the abundant diaphragmatic surface. Traditionally, diaphragm plication was performed through thoracotomy, until 1996 when Moroux introduced the widely used thoracoscopic technique of diaphragm plication. With the advancement of minimally-invasive surgery over the years, the approach to diaphragm plication has evolved from four ports to an uniportal approach and robotics.