Introduction Print Section Listen The diaphragm, in its role as a musculoaponeurotic structure separating the thoracic and abdominal domains, is subject to injury following blunt or penetrating trauma. Historical accounts…

Introduction Print Section Listen The mediastinum is defined as the space between the lungs. It is bordered by the sternum anteriorly, the thoracic inlet superiorly, the diaphragm inferiorly, and the…

Introduction Print Section Listen The abdominal approach for diaphragmatic plication is appropriate in properly selected patients. Open transabdominal plication has been described for unilateral or bilateral diaphragmatic eventration or paralysis…

Introduction Print Section Listen The fan-shaped muscle of the diaphragm arises from the internal circumference of the thorax, with attachments to the sternum, the lower six or seven ribs, and…

Introduction Print Section Listen Survival of infants born with congenital diaphragmatic hernias (CDHs), as with many other anomalies in pediatrics, has steadily improved over the last three decades owing to…

Introduction Print Section Listen The diaphragm is generally referred to as the main “respiratory muscle”—which is to some extent a misnomer. A better description would be that the diaphragm is…

Introduction Print Section Listen The technique of applying electrical stimulation to the phrenic nerve to induce diaphragm pacing was first described by Cavallo in 1777.1 Early proponents used this technique…

Introduction Print Section Listen The two most common causes of diaphragmatic elevation are congenital eventration of the diaphragm and phrenic nerve palsy.1,2 Both may require plication of the diaphragm. This…

Introduction Print Section Listen Pectus excavatum is the most common congenital anterior chest wall defect, characterized by a posterior depression of the sternum and inferior costal cartilages. The deformity can…

Introduction Print Section Listen Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS), a term coined by Rob and Standeven,1 refers to symptomatic compression of the structures of the thoracic outlet (subclavian vessels and brachial…