Effect of Thymectomy in Myasthenia Gravis

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 9(4); 1991 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 1991;9(4): 439-444.

중증근무력증 환자에서 흉선절제술 후 치료경과

이용희, 임정근,이동국,이상도,박영춘

계명대학교 신경과.

Effect of Thymectomy in Myasthenia Gravis

Yong Hee Lee, M.D., Jeong Geun Lim, M.D., Dong Kuck Lee, M.D., Sang Doe Yi, M.D., Young Choon Park, M.D.

Dep. Of Neurology, Keimyung University

Abstract

This study was performed to observe the effectiveness of thymectomy in the management of myasthenia gravis. Twenty-seven myasthenic patients were undergone thymectomy at Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital between January 1981 and December 1990. The most prevalent age group was the 3rd decade and the myasthenic syrnptom developed below thirty in most. Seven patients had remission and 10 patients fared better after thymectomy. There was no significant effect with age and duration of the disease in the result of thymectomy. Those with less severe group had better response than more severe group and non-thymoma group had higher remission rate without statistical significance than thymoma group. There were better response and more complications in the group with maximal thymectomy than simple thymectomy. This study demonstrated that the effect of thymectomy was better in less severe, nontymoma and maximal thymectomy group in myasthenia gravis.