title: High-dose steroids for perioperative management of patients with myasthenia gravis undergoing thymectomy. A preliminary report.
abstract: To eliminate the morbidity associated with thymectomy, we used high-dose corticosteroids perioperatively in 32 patients who had Class II and III myasthenia gravis. All patients were extubated within 2 hours after the operation, and none required respiratory support postoperatively. The average stay in the intensive care unit was 20 hours and the average hospital stay, 6 days. Addition of high-dose corticosteroids to the perioperative managment of patients with myasthenia gravis undergoing thymectomy improved the immediate operative results and eliminated the morbidity associated with this procedure.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003422:Critical Care; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D007902:Length of Stay; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000628:therapy*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013934:Thymectomy
chemical_list: D011241:Prednisone; D008775:Methylprednisolone