Thoracoscopic thymectomy mid-term results.
BACKGROUND
Results of thymectomy in patients with myasthenia gravis need to be reported in a standardized way to allow accurate comparison.


METHODS
A retrospective study was conducted of 107 patients with myasthenia gravis without thymoma. Patients were followed-up for more than 12 months after thoracoscopic thymectomy and analyzed according to Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America Recommendations for Clinical Research Standards.


RESULTS
The study population was aged 8 to 60 years old and included 15 men (14%) and 92 women (86%). A right-side approach was used in 36 patients, and the remaining 71 patients had a left-side approach. Mortality was 0% and morbidity was 9.34%. The mean operative time was 90 +/- 45 minutes. The histologic diagnosis of the resected thymus was hyperplasia (78.5%), atrophy (15%), and normal status (6.5%). The mean length of hospitalization was 2.3 days (range, 2 to 6 days). The mean follow-up was 36.4 months (range, 12 to 74 months). The rate of complete stable remission was 59.5% by the end of postoperative year 6. An earlier onset age and early operation were significantly associated with complete stable remission and pharmacologic remission. A comparison of right side versus left side approach showed similarities in mean operative time, mean length of hospitalization, histopathologic results, and remission rates.


CONCLUSIONS
Outcomes of the thoracoscopic approach in myasthenia gravis without thymoma were similar to those provided by open surgery, with the acknowledged benefits of minimally invasive surgery and good patient acceptance.
Tomulescu
Victor
V
Department of General Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania.
Ion
Virginia
V
Kosa
Andras
A
Sgarbura
Olivia
O
Popescu
Irinel
I
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001284:Atrophy; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013934:Thymectomy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome