Long-Term Follow-Up of the Functional and Physiologic Results of Diaphragm Plication in Adults With Unilateral Diaphragm Paralysis

Plication of the hemidiaphragm produces improvement for the vast majority of patients in pulmonary spirometry, dyspnea, and functional status that endures over long-term follow-up. Patients who are morbidly obese or who have longstanding unilateral diaphragm paralysis may not realize the same benefits of plication.