title: [Application and curative effect of plasma exchange in myasthenia gravis patients with thymectomy].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the application of plasma exchange in myasthenia gravis (MG) patients with thymectomy, and to evaluate its curative effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  The clinical data of 50 patients with thymectomy were analyzed retrospectively, and the patients were divided into Group A (23 cases, undergoing thymectomy and plasma exchange) and Group B (27 cases, undergoing thymectomy). The difference of serum concentration of AChRab was examined by ELISA, and the time of auxiliary breath, crisis of myasthenia and clinical evaluation in the 2 groups were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum concentration of AChRab in Group A descended obviously after the plasma exchange. One day and one week after the operation, the AChRab concentration in Group A was obviously lower than that in Group B, but there was no difference one month after the operation. One week after the operation, the time of auxiliary breath,crisis of myasthenia and clinical evaluation in Group A were less than those in Group B.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plasma exchange together with thymectomy can improve the temporary curative effects in patients with MG. It is safe and effective for MG.
authors.affiliation: Department of Blood Transfusion, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China. meizi7436@yahoo.com.cn
authors.forename: Ya-mei
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: Jian-xin
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000601:surgery*; D010951:Plasma Exchange; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013934:Thymectomy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult