[Role of thymectomy in the treatment of myasthenia gravis: considerations and personal cases].
The therapeutic impact of thymectomy on the clinical course of myasthenia gravis is still very controversial. In fact, while nowadays the surgical approach is widely adopted for thymomas, its role is still debatable in patients suffering from myasthenia gravis. The surgical approach of choice for total thymectomy is represented by median sternotomy. Other surgical methodologies include cervical access and partial sternotomy. All these approaches have shown excellent results in the exeresis of the thymus. More recently video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy has been proposed as a less invasive and similarly effective technique for the removal of this organ and the treatment of myasthenia gravis. Aim of the present study is to report Author's experience with thymectomy, emphasizing the data available in the international literature on the surgical mortality, complications and aesthetical results of the different surgical accesses.
Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria G. Martino Dipartimento di Scienze Cardiovascolari e Toraciche Cattedra di Chirurgia toracica, Università degli Studi di Messina.
R
R
Pavia
B
B
Mondello
F
F
Monaco
A
A
Pavone
V
V
Micali
P
P
Barresi
V
V
Mulè
D
D
Familiani
A
A
La Rocca
M
M
Monaco
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; D013934:Thymectomy / Q000379:methods; D013945:Thymoma / Q000150:complications / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome