Electrophrenic respiration in patients with craniocervical trauma.

We implanted electrophrenic respiration (EPR) units in 15 apneic quadriplegic patients with brain stem or high cervical cord injury. 11 of the patients achieved full-time respiration with EPR and another 2 achieved half-time respiration. Despite the loss of patients due to unrelated problems, 7 now use EPR continuously, 1 for 18 years. The factors involved in the significant success rate with EPR are discussed from the point of view of a neurosurgeon.