title: [Thymectomy in myasthenia gravis].
abstract: Thymectomy is in most cases the treatment of choice in myasthenia gravis (MG). In order to evaluate the Danish results, we investigated the outcome and patient satisfaction following thymectomy in Odense University Hospital from 1980 to 1994. Thirty-three patients were operated. Five (16%) were completely without symptoms or medication and 14 (44%) received less medication and had fewer symptoms than preoperatively. Sex, age, degree of illness, duration of symptoms, histology of the thymus and surgical approach had no significant (p > 0.05) influence on the result. Four patients died 2-29 months after surgery, three because of aggravation of MG and one of causes unrelated to the operation. Of the 29 patients still alive none had serious complications, 11 had minor complications and 23 were satisfied with the operation. Thymectomy is recommended for patients with symptomatic MG, but the effect of surgery should be evaluated in a prospective clinically controlled study.
authors.affiliation: Thorax-karkirurgisk afdeling T, Odense Universitetshospital.
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Ainsworth
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Jochumsen
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Pedersen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000601:surgery*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013934:Thymectomy / Q000009:adverse effects
vernacular_title: Tymektomi ved myasthenia gravis.