title: Thoracoscopic thymectomy for myasthenia gravis: a case report.
abstract: Total thymectomy combined with medical therapy is currently the most effective therapeutic strategy for patients with myasthenia gravis. The standard approach for total thymectomy is that of a median sternotomy. Other approaches include the cervical approach and partial sternotomy. We report a patient who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy at our institution. There was no postoperative complications and the patient was discharged on the fifth postoperative day. Video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy has proved to be an effective surgical therapy for the treatment of myasthenia gravis. The long-term outcome awaits close follow-up of the patients operated using this technique.
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Department, National University Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Sim
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Goh
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Durani
authors.forename: B K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Ong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000601:surgery*; D010956:Plasmapheresis; D011300:Preoperative Care; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000379:methods; D013934:Thymectomy / Q000379:methods*