Correspondence in relation to the case report “Capnography as an aid in localizing the phrenic nerve in brachial plexus surgery. Technical note.” published in May issue of Journal of Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Injury

Pradipta Bhakta

doi:10.1186/1749-7221-3-20

Abstract

Comment on 'Capnography as an aid in localizing the phrenic nerve in brachial plexus surgery. Technical note' Bhagat H, Agarwal A, Sharma MSJournal of Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Injury 2008, 3:14 (22 May 2008)

Highlights

I want to thank the authors for this article explaining this innovative technique to identify phrenic nerve intraoperatively
After going through the article I found some doubts related to the actual correlation of diaphragmatic contraction with electrical stimulation of phrenic nerve
From the pattern of the capnogram presented in the report, I can assume that probably a controlled ventilatory technique was used in all the cases [1]

Summary

Introduction

I want to thank the authors for this article explaining this innovative technique to identify phrenic nerve intraoperatively. After going through the article I found some doubts related to the actual correlation of diaphragmatic contraction with electrical stimulation of phrenic nerve. Authors have used an intravenous based anesthesia for their cases without muscle relaxation. They have not mentioned anything about the dose of the drug used or monitoring the depth or adequacy of anesthesia.

Results

Conclusion