Clinical Excellence in Focus: Dr. Inês Jesus on Phrenic Nerve Stimulation for Ventilatory Autonomy After High Cervical Medullary Injury

A Portrait of Excellence: Who Is Dr. Inês Jesus?

Dr. Inês Jesus is recognized as one of the promising young neurosurgeons emerging from Portugal’s highly respected neurosurgical training environment. Currently in the final year of her residency at ULS Coimbra, she has developed comprehensive experience across the full spectrum of cranial, spinal, and trauma surgery. Her colleagues describe her as a clinician of exceptional reasoning, precision, and compassion—characteristics that set the foundation for excellence in neurosurgical practice.

Her academic journey reflects a strong commitment to global medical education. She completed her medical degree at Charles University in Prague, one of Europe’s most prestigious institutions, where she cultivated a multidisciplinary perspective that continues to shape her approach to patient care and scientific inquiry. This international foundation deepened her interest in the neurosciences and prepared her for a demanding surgical specialty.

Following medical school, she expanded her clinical experience through three years of medical practice in the United Kingdom, where she gained exposure to high-intensity clinical environments and diverse healthcare systems. This period strengthened her adaptability and enriched her understanding of patient management from a global standpoint. These international experiences, combined with the rigor of her neurosurgical training in Portugal, have shaped her into a resilient, forward-thinking, and well-rounded clinician.

ULS Coimbra – A Hub of Surgical Innovation and Academic Excellence

The institution Dr. Jesus represents, ULS Coimbra – Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, stands as one of Portugal’s foremost centers for advanced medical care, education, and research. The neurosurgery department is renowned for its expertise in complex cranial and spinal procedures, modern surgical technologies, and commitment to multidisciplinary care. As a unified health system integrating hospital, academic, and community care structures, ULS Coimbra supports a seamless continuum of healthcare delivery, allowing clinicians to combine clinical excellence with strong academic foundations.

Within this environment, Dr. Jesus has been able to integrate high-level surgical practice with meaningful scientific inquiry. ULS Coimbra fosters a culture of innovation, enabling emerging neurosurgeons like Dr. Jesus to participate in cutting-edge research, engage in international collaborations, and develop competencies that extend far beyond the operating room. Her work on phrenic nerve stimulation is a direct reflection of the institution’s mission to advance the treatment of complex neurological disease and improve long-term patient outcomes.

The Clinical Challenge: Ventilatory Failure After High Cervical Medullary Injury

High cervical spinal cord and cervicomedullary injuries represent one of the most devastating clinical challenges in neurosurgery. When neural pathways responsible for diaphragm activation are compromised—whether due to trauma, inflammation, or tumor resection—patients may lose their ability to breathe independently. This loss of respiratory autonomy often results in total or partial dependence on mechanical ventilation, a lifesaving but long-term intervention associated with reduced mobility, increased risk of infection, psychological distress, and a profound impact on quality of life.

In cases involving spinal ependymomas, complete surgical resection remains the gold standard for long-term control. However, due to the tumor’s location near critical respiratory centers, postoperative neurological compromise can occur. When such injury affects the phrenic nerve pathways or the neural nuclei responsible for respiratory control, patients may require prolonged ventilatory support. Addressing this challenge requires not only surgical precision but also innovative post-operative strategies that can restore physiological function.

Phrenic Nerve Stimulation: Restoring a Fundamental Human Function

The integration of phrenic nerve stimulation in the rehabilitation of these patients represents a paradigm shift in respiratory recovery. PNS works by delivering controlled electrical impulses to the phrenic nerve, which then activates the diaphragm and enables independent breathing. The aim is to reduce or eliminate the patient’s reliance on mechanical ventilation, thereby improving pulmonary health, mobility, communication capability, and overall quality of life.

Unlike ventilator support, PNS allows patients to maintain more natural physiological breathing patterns and reduces complications due to long-term mechanical ventilation. It may also facilitate earlier hospital discharge, reduce healthcare costs, and empower patients to resume more activities of daily living. This technology requires precise surgical technique for electrode placement, interdisciplinary care coordination, and rigorous patient selection, highlighting the importance of advanced neurosurgical insight.

Dr. Jesus’s investigation into the application of PNS following high cervical medullary injury secondary to spinal ependymoma resection adds valuable evidence to a relatively underexplored area of clinical practice. Her work not only supports emerging therapeutic strategies but also contributes meaningfully to improving postoperative trajectories for patients with severe neurological injury.

A Commitment to Clinical Innovation and Scientific Leadership

Throughout her residency, Dr. Jesus has demonstrated a strong commitment to integrating scientific research with clinical practice. Her areas of interest include long-term neurological outcomes, functional recovery after spinal injury, and the intersection between neurosurgical intervention and rehabilitative technologies. She strives to bridge the gap between operative precision and post-operative rehabilitation, ensuring that patients receive care that extends beyond the surgical episode toward meaningful recovery and enhanced quality of life.

Her professional values—curiosity, compassion, resilience, and scientific rigor—reflect the attributes necessary for leadership in modern neurosurgery. She represents a generation of neurosurgeons who view innovation not as an option but as a responsibility, and who understand that the future of neurosurgery depends on the continual integration of technology, science, and personalized care.

Conclusion

Dr. Inês Jesus stands at the forefront of a new era in neurosurgery—one defined by global perspective, technical excellence, and a commitment to improving patient outcomes through scientific innovation. Her work on phrenic nerve stimulation provides critical insights into restoring ventilatory autonomy for patients with high cervical medullary injuries, particularly after complex procedures such as spinal ependymoma resection. Supported by the exceptional academic and clinical environment of ULS Coimbra, she continues to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of neurosurgical science and patient-centered care. Her dedication, multidisciplinary training, and forward-thinking approach position her as a rising leader in the field, shaping the future of neurosurgery with integrity, expertise, and compassion.

#Neurosurgery #Neuroscience #PhrenicNerveStimulation #VentilatoryAutonomy #ULSCoimbra #SpinalEpendymoma #CervicalInjury #NeuroRehabilitation #RespiratoryRecovery #ClinicalInnovation #NeurologicalCare #MedicalResearch #NeurosurgicalExcellence #PatientCare #GlobalNeurosurgery

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