[Thymectomy for late-onset myasthenia gravis in the elderly (with report of 23 cases)].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of thymectomy in the treatment of late-onset myasthenia gravis (MG) in the elderly.


METHODS
Twenty-three such cases receiving thymectomy were followed up.


RESULTS
MG was more frequent in male patients in the elderly, with generalized MG more prevalent that was often complicated by thymoma and myasthenia crisis. The total effective rate of the surgical intervention was 43.5 %.


CONCLUSIONS
Thymectomy is applicable in late-onset MG in the elderly in spite of the fact that its effect is not as good as that in younger patients.
Huang
Zhi-yong
ZY
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Wang
Wu-jun
WJ
D000367:Age Factors; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013934:Thymectomy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome