[Thymectomy in the treatment of myasthenia gravis].

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To review the clinical course of patients with myasthenia gravis following thymectomy and to identify prognostic factors that may influence outcome.

METHODS:

We follow-up 91 patients with myasthenia gravis surgically treated with thymectomy through a median stereotomy from May, 1983 to October, 1993. The overall 5-year remission and improvement probabilities were obtained by Kaplan-Meier Method.

RESULTS:

36 (39.6%) patients showed remission, 27 (29.7%) improvement, 14 (15.4%) no change and 14 (15.4%) worsening. The overall 5-year remission and improvement probabilities of patients were 64% and 88% respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

Most patient's symptoms after thymectomy were progressively improved with time, which is probably attributable to thymectomy, and the natural history of myasthenia gravis. Age at surgery, sex, duration of clinical course and pathological findings may be important prognostic factors for patients with myasthenia gravis after thymectomy.

• Authors: Z Fan, G Wen, Z Zhang
• Journal: Zhonghua yi xue za zhi (Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi) Vol. 78 Issue 5 Pg. 363-5 (May 1998) ISSN: 0376-2491 [Print] China
• PMID: 10923442 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Male
• Myasthenia Gravis (pathology, surgery)
• Prognosis
• Survival Analysis
• Thymectomy