Surgical treatment of myasthenia gravis.
On the basis of statistics, total thymectomy should be considered for the treatment of myasthenia gravis if the disease is severe and response to well regulated medical management is unsatisfactory. That improvement follows the operation in many cases, particularly if symptoms are of recent development, is indicated by reports in the literature. Of two patients operated upon by the author, one whose symptoms were of short duration was benefited objectively and subjectively; the other, in whom symptoms had existed seven years, said she felt better but there was no objective evidence of improvement. Patients should be told beforehand of the operative risks involved and the uncertainty of prognosis following the procedure.
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis; D011379:Prognosis; D013934:Thymectomy; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D035501:Uncertainty
MYASTHENIA/gravis