A practical technique in laparoscopic diaphragm pacing surgery: Retrospective analyse of 43 patients

Diaphragm pacing stimulation (DPS) is a treatment method used in respiratory failure occurs in diseases such as high-level cervical spinal cord injury, central hypoventilation syndrome and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

A total of 43 patients, who had undergone DPS implantation surgery were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical technique (Group 1: classical surgical technic and Group 2: modified surgical technic) applied. The patients with previous abdominal surgery or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy were excluded from the study.

The mean operation duration was significantly shorter in modified DPS implantation technic (105.1 min in Group 1 and 87.4 min in Group 2) (P < 0.001). Capnothorax is seen 11% of the cases in classical surgery procedure. In the modified group, capnothorax was not observed. Pneumothorax rate was found similar in both groups. Post-operative atelectasis was determined 16% of the cases in classical surgery procedure and also in the modified group atelectasis was not observed. The complications were higher in classical surgery procedure group but not differed statistically in this study. Total hospitalisation duration was significantly shorter in the modified surgical technique group compared to the other group (8.0 days in Group 1 and 6.0 days in Group 2) (P = 0.03).

With modification in DPS implantation surgery, shorter operation and hospitalisation durations, and less complications may be achieved.