Diaphragm facing in permanent high cervical cord lesion with respiratory paralysis

Fifteen patients [11 males and 4 females, aged 3 - 60 years; mean 26 years] with partial or total respiratory paralysis due to traumatic cervical cord lesions received phrenic nerve stimulators for pacing of the diaphragm. At follow-up at two months to eight years after discharge, six patients were entirely independent of respirator and four quadriplegics were ventilated with pacers at different day time intervals and used mechanical ventilators during the night. Five patients had stopped pacing after intervals ranging from two months to six years