Our Strategy in the Therapy of Myasthenia gravis

Overview

Surgical treatment of myasthenia gravis at the 3rd Department of Surgery, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles Universityin Prague, has long tradition. It originated in sixties of the 20th century. Over 1000 operations of a thymus has beencarried out since that time, especially thymectomy for myasthenia gravis (MG) and for less frequent thymomas. Thecomplete removal of thymus – thymectomy accompanied with exenteration of the fat in frontal mediastinum belongsto the principal MG surgery. According to our experience, the optimal approach to the thymus is a partial sternotomy.The jugular approach is not regarded as sufficiently radical. Videothoracoscopic approach and operation are possiblebut they are longer. They represent amethod of choice at someworkplaces. The combinedMGtreatment (conservativemedicamentous and surgery treatment) brings in 80% a visible improvement and a deletion of symptoms of thedisease.

Key words:
myasthenia gravis, thymoma, partial sternotomy.