Minimally Invasive Thymectomy in Non-Thymomatous Myasthenia Gravis Cases

Abstract

Objective: Thymectomy via transsternal approach is the accepted standard surgical procedure within the treatment of myasthenia gravis (MG) cases for many years. In our study, minimally invasive thymectomy technique and its results are presented. Material and Method: Patients who were diagnosed myasthenia gravis by the neurology clinics and were performed extended thymectomy in our clinic between 2005 – 2016 are included to our study. Results: In our clinic 28 cases, diagnosed with non-thymomatous MG, underwent extended thymectomy; 11 patients were operated via sternotomy and 17 patients were operated via Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS). The study group included 19 female and 9 male patients. While the sternotomy group included 5 male and 6 female patients; the VATS group had 4 male and 13 female patients (p=0,212). Whereas the median age for the sternotomy group was 40,82+16,1 years, the median age for the VATS group was 33,7+11,6 (48,05) years (p=0,082). Peroperative mortality was not seen in both groups, yet there was morbidity for 1 patient in each groups (p=0,833). The length of hospitalization in sternotomy group was 6,2+2,2 days and in VATS group it was 2,8+1,2 days. (p=0,019). Conclusion: Complete or extended thymectomy within the treatment of non-thymomatous is a safe and an effective method. In the experienced clinics minimally invasive techniques are appropriate choices for the patients upon with the lack of mortality and viable morbidity rates.