Thymectomy in Myasthenia Gravis at Hospital Unversiti Sains Malaysia - A 10 Years Review of Cases at the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia
- Author:
Julieana Muhammed
;
Chen Chui Yin
;
Wan Hazabbah Wan Hitam
;
Mohamad Ziyadi Ghazali
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
myasthenia gravis;
thymectomy;
treatment outcomes
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
2016;23(4):71-78
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background: A thymectomy is considered effective for patients with myasthenia gravis (MG).
Although a few studies have described the role of a thymectomy in the treatment of MG in Asians
countries, there are no published data on the application of this surgical approach for MG in
Malaysia. We aimed to describe the clinical outcomes of MG patients who underwent a thymectomy
and the factors affecting these outcomes.
Methods: This was a retrospective study involving 16 patients with MG who underwent a
thymectomy at the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) from January 2002 until December
2012, with a follow-up period ranging from 3–120 months.
Results: The study consisted of 16 patients aged 22–78 years, 10 of whom were males. The overall
remission/improvement rate was 87.5%, and the rate of clinical outcomes classified as unchanged/
worsened was 12.5%. Thymomamatous or non-thymomamatous MG, histology features, Osserman
stage and the duration of follow-up were not significant prognostic factors. Post-operative mortality
was 6.2% (1 of 16 patients died of septic shock).
Conclusion: A thymectomy seems to be an effective treatment for MG, with low surgical
morbidity. Patients with a lower Osserman stage and those with/without thymomas had favourable
outcomes.
- Full text:P020170717512663547537.pdf
