title: [Trans-sternal thymectomy in myasthenia gravis and thymoma].
abstract: In a retrospective study the role of thymectomy in the treatment of myasthenia gravis (n = 19) and of thymoma (n = 7) was analysed in 26 patients operated on between 1989 and 1994 in the Department of Surgery at the University of Cologne. The mean follow-up period was 28 months (follow-up rate: 96.2%). A transsternal incision was preferred in 24 cases (92.3%). Patients with myasthenia gravis were preoperatively classified according to Ossermann. Patients with thymoma were classified according to Masaoka. 17 patients (89.5%) with myasthenia gravis demonstrated a significant improvement. 4 patients (57.1%) with thymoma were free of recurrence. Stage II to IV thymoma should receive postoperative radiotherapy. Patients with stage IV lesions are usually offered postoperative radiation therapy plus cis-platinum based chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Chirurgie, Universität zu Köln.
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Mönig
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Türler
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raab
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery; D013934:Thymectomy / Q000379:methods*; D013945:Thymoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002945:Cisplatin