Successful Treatment of Idiopathic, Intractable Hiccups With Prescriptive Positive Pressure Ventilation-A Case Report.

A 65-year-old male patient presenting with idiopathic, intractable hiccups was to undergo bilateral thoracotomies for phrenic nerve stimulator placement but initially underwent a treatment utilizing the administration of prescriptive positive pressure ventilation as a less invasive treatment option and had successful resolution of hiccups. The patient's hiccups began after a prior hiatal hernia repair and was refractory to pharmacologic treatment and phrenic nerve blocks. Utilizing neuromuscular blockade for diaphragm paralysis and administering three vital capacity breaths to peak inspiratory pressures of 25 cm H2O via endotracheal tube, the patient had successful resolution of symptoms and further surgical intervention was not warranted.