United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Researching surgical options to help deal with a paralyzed diaphragm from having damaged my phrenic nerve which decreases my breathing capability significantly in my right lung.

Discovered the Diaphragm Plication procedure which involves opening the side of the chest and basically stitching up the diaphragm into a tight drum like web to give the lung room to expand.

Has anyone had this done or even ever heard of it?

My chest XRays make it clear that my intestines have filled up half of my right lung space, because there isn't a nerve impulse to indicate the muscle to contract and help fill the lung with oxygen. This would give my lung more space, but not necessarily help it "breath" much better. We'll see...

Thanks,
Christopher

Here's a good link about the procedure with VIDEO of it (not for the weak kneed):
http://mmcts.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/con ... 006.002568

When I worked in the NICU we had a BPI baby that had this done. Without it she could not breath on her own it was thta bad. She had to be on constant CPAP. After the surgery she could breath on her own, no CPAP no O2 needed. It was great to see.
I have no idea how recovery would be for an adult though...