Transient phrenic nerve palsy after cardiac operation in infants

A Prospective Study of Temporal Course of Phrenic Nerve Palsy in Children After Cardiac Surgery

“…In these prospective studies, the prevalence of DP ranged from 10% to 20% (Mok et al, 1991;Russell et al, 1991Russell et al, , 1993Russell et al, , 2008. However, a study conducted on a small number of children suggested that most prospective studies estimated the prevalence of phrenic nerve palsy on the basis of results from a single electrophysiologic evaluation performed within several days after operation and therefore the prevalence of significant phrenic nerve palsy, which may be transient, was overestimated (Imai et al, 2004). Imai et al (2004) recorded DAPs from 11 infants within 3 to 4 days after surgery and again 1 and 2 weeks after operation.…”

“…However, a study conducted on a small number of children suggested that most prospective studies estimated the prevalence of phrenic nerve palsy on the basis of results from a single electrophysiologic evaluation performed within several days after operation and therefore the prevalence of significant phrenic nerve palsy, which may be transient, was overestimated (Imai et al, 2004). Imai et al (2004) recorded DAPs from 11 infants within 3 to 4 days after surgery and again 1 and 2 weeks after operation. The authors noted that some patients showed a transient depression of DAP in the first recording and then a subsequent gradual recovery to a DAP within the normal range after 1 week; however, preoperative phrenic nerve functions were not assessed via electrophysiologic studies (Imai et al, 2004).…”

“…Imai et al (2004) recorded DAPs from 11 infants within 3 to 4 days after surgery and again 1 and 2 weeks after operation. The authors noted that some patients showed a transient depression of DAP in the first recording and then a subsequent gradual recovery to a DAP within the normal range after 1 week; however, preoperative phrenic nerve functions were not assessed via electrophysiologic studies (Imai et al, 2004).…”

“…In patients with high clinical suspicion of DP, electrodiagnostic studies is believed to be a cardinal technique in diagnosing phrenic nerve dysfunction (Imai et al, 2004;Tonz et al, 1996;van Onna et al, 1998). However, a study conducted on a small number of patients revealed that some subjects exhibited marked abnormal phrenic nerve conduction studies during the early postsurgical phase and that subsequent recordings revealed the resolution of that abnormality (Imai et al, 2004).…”

“…However, a study conducted on a small number of patients revealed that some subjects exhibited marked abnormal phrenic nerve conduction studies during the early postsurgical phase and that subsequent recordings revealed the resolution of that abnormality (Imai et al, 2004). To prevent unnecessary surgery such as plication of the diaphragm, it is important to ascertain the critical time at which irreversible damage of the phrenic nerve occurs.…”