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<strong>Clujul</strong> <strong>Medical</strong> 2006 vol. LXXX - nr. 1<br />
Phrenic nerves and diaphragm (Second part).<br />
Diaphragm pacing.<br />
FR.GRIGORESCU SIDO, ANCA ZIMMERMANN<br />
Summary<br />
The phrenic nerve (FN) and the diaphragm (D) are a morphofunctional unit<br />
with an important role in the physiology and pathology of respiration, digestion and<br />
circulation. The anatomy of intradiaphragmatic branches of the phrenic nerve was<br />
intensively researched by anatomists and surgeons between 1950-1990, with the aim to<br />
perform the most sparing phrenotomy possible. After 1990, the research was mainly<br />
focused on the identification of the phrenic nerve motor points to allow diaphragmatic<br />
pacing with laparoscopically placed electrods in the diaphragm in patients with chronic<br />
respiratory distress (e.g. central hypoventilation, tetraplegia, etc.), who were on<br />
mechanical ventilation. The present study analyses, on 58 anatomical preparations, the<br />
phrenic nerve anatomical points with the intention to identify on human being the<br />
bilateral phrenic nerve motor points to facilitate better diaphragmatic pacing<br />
procedures.<br />
Key words: phrenic nerves, diaphragm, diaphragm pacing.<br />
Abbreviations: D (diaphragm), FN (phrenic nerve).<br />
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