ABSTRACT
Objective To study the feasibility of Video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy and the long term result of thoracoscopic thymectomy for myasthenia gravis. Methods 9 cases of thymus related disease were selected to undergo thymectomy though thoracoscopic approach from August 1996 to April 2001.Patients were followed up through outpatient service and telephone consultation. Results Of the 9 cases 2 cases were diagnosed as thymus cysts,1 cases thymoma,1 case malignant thymoma,1cases thymus carcinoma and 4 cases myasthenia gravis.Of the 4 cases of myasthenia gravis,3 cases were typeⅠ and 1 case was typeⅡb according to the modified Osserman classification.After thoracoscopic thymectomy 75% of patients had long-term good responses to surgery.The operation of one case of malignant thymoma was converted to lateral thoracotomy.One case of malignant thymoma with myasthenia gravis relapsed and reoperated through open thoracotomy . Conclusions video-assisted thoracoscopy can be usd to treat seleted thymic diseases .The results of video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy for mysthenia gravis is almost comparable with traditional open thoracotomy