MYASTHENIA GRAVIS: ANESTHETIC AND SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF THE PATIENT UNDERGOING THYMECTOMY.

Abstract

Experience in the anesthetic and surgical management of 25 patients with myasthenia gravis is recorded. These are subdivided into two groups: those operated on during the period 1950-1958 and those operated on during the period 1959-1964. The purpose of this paper is to indicate improvement in mortality and morbidity due to three major advances: (1) use of the decamethonium diagnostic test in a myasthenia gravis clinic; (2) improvements in assessment and management of respiratory insufficiency; and (3) avoidance of anticholinesterase treatment in the immediate and early postoperative recovery period.Fourteen patients with myasthenia gravis, including five with thymoma and two who were refractory to medication, were in the second (1959-1964) group. There were no deaths and no myasthenic or cholinergic crises. Three prophylactic tracheostomies were performed. No emergency bronchoscopies or tracheostomies were required.

• Authors: L C JENKINS, J CHANG, G D SAXTON
• Journal: Canadian Medical Association journal (Can Med Assoc J) Vol. 93 Pg. 198-203 (Jul 31 1965) ISSN: 0008-4409 [Print] Canada
• PMID: 14323663 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anesthetics
• Cholinesterase Inhibitors
• Decamethonium Compounds
• decamethonium

Topics

• Anesthesia
• Anesthetics
• Cholinesterase Inhibitors
• Decamethonium Compounds
• Drug Therapy
• Humans
• Morbidity
• Mortality
• Myasthenia Gravis
• Postoperative Care
• Postoperative Complications
• Postoperative Period
• Preoperative Care
• Pulmonary Valve Insufficiency
• Respiratory Insufficiency
• Thymectomy
• Thymoma
• Tracheostomy