Diaphragmatic plication among lung transplant patients: A single-center experience

Background: There is lack of data reporting outcomes among patients needing diaphragmatic plication (DP) during or after lung transplantation (LT). We sought to assess the association of DP with post-transplant spirometry among other outcomes.

Methods: We included all patients who underwent LT between 2012 and 2016 (n = 324, mean age 56.3±13.4 years; M:F 198:126). We compared early and late outcomes based on the need for DP.

Results: The frequency of diaphragmatic dysfunction (DD) on pre-transplant fluoroscopy was 52.2%. A total of 38 DP procedures were performed among 37 patients (11.4% of LT patients). DP was done for anatomic (sizing or spacing issues) or functional indications (symptomatic DD). While patients with DP had significantly lower spirometry throughout the 3-year follow-up period, their slope of decline, functional assessments at the first annual visit, the risk of CLAD, and mortality were similar to patients without DP. A sub-group analysis limited to patients with restrictive lung diseases as the transplant indication had similar findings.

Conclusions: Pre-transplant DD is common among LT candidates although it did not predict the need for DP. DP may be performed for functional or anatomic indications especially for addressing the donor-recipient size mismatch. Despite the lack of favorable effect on post-transplant spirometry, patients undergoing DP have acceptable and comparable early and late outcomes.