Evaluación de la efectividad de la timectomía como tratamiento de la Miastenia Gravis

Objetivo: evaluar efectividad de timectomía como alternativa de tratamiento a la Miastenia Gravis (MG) en nuestro centro, entre 2007 y 2019, y cómo ha impactado en calidad de vida y manejo farmacológico. Material y Método: cohorte retrospectiva de pacientes sometidas a timectomía por equipo Cirugía Torácica del Hospital Gustavo Fricke (HGF) entre 2007 y 2019. Las variables fueron el tratamiento médico y dosis de anticolinesterásicos pre y post timectomía, y la calidad de vida medida a través de la encuesta MG-QOL15. Se utilizaron medidas de desviación estándar y comparaciones estadísticas para el análisis de estas variables, considerando estadísticamente significativo un p < 0,05. Resultados: total de 20 pacientes, mayoría mujeres jóvenes, timectomía vía transesternal. Dosis de anticolinesterásicos mostró disminución estadísticamente significativa de 5,05 a 3,06 pre y post timectomía respectivamente (p < 0,05). Encuesta MG-QOL15 media de 11,9 puntos. Discusión: Se ha demostrado que la timectomía cumple un rol importante en el manejo de la MG, otorgando una superioridad frente al tratamiento médico exclusivo. La Fundación Americana para Miastenia Gravis, recomienda el uso de la encuesta MG-QOL15 como herramienta para evaluar la calidad de vida. Existe poca literatura nacional en relación a este tema. Conclusión: La timectomía, es un procedimiento que mejora la calidad de vida de los pacientes con MG y permite reducir en forma significativa la dosis de fármacos utilizados.

Objective: To evaluate effectivity of thymectomy as an alternative treatment of MG in our center, between 2007 and 2019 and to know how it has impacted in life quality and pharmacological management. Material and Method: cohort study patients treated with thymectomy by Thoracic Surgical team from Gustavo Fricke Hospital between 2007 and 2019. The study variables were medical treatment and anticholinesterases doses before and after the thymectomy, and life quality measured through MG-QOL15 survey. Standard deviation measures and statistics comparisons were used for the analysis of these variables, considering statistically significant a p < 0.05. Results: total of 20 patients, mainly young women, thymectomy through a Trans-sternal approach. Anticholinesterase doses, showed a statistically significant decrease from 5.05 to 3.06 before and after thymectomy (p < 0.05). Discussion: It has been demonstrated that thymectomy plays an important role on the management of MG, giving a mastery against medical exclusive treatment, The American Foundation for Myasthenia Gravis recommends the use of MG-QOL15 survey as an important tool to evaluate life quality. There is a limited amount of national literature related to this topic. Conclusion: Thymectomy is a life quality changing procedure for MG patients and it helps to significantly reduce the drug doses used.

Timectomía toracoscópica en pacientes con Miastenia Gravis juvenil

Objetivo: Describir la evolución clínica postquirúrgica de una serie de casos de pacientes con Miastenia Gravis juvenil (MGJ) tratados con timectomía por toraoscópica videoasistida (TVA) derecha. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo que incluyó 13 pacientes pediátricos con diagnóstico de MGJ sometidos a timectomía toracoscópica derecha en la Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI de México, entre marzo de 2016 y abril de 2022. Los pacientes fueron caracterizados clínicamente y la enfermedad fue clasificada de acuerdo a los criterios de Osserman. La evolución postquirúrgica se evaluó con la clasificación de DeFilippi para determinar la proporción de pacientes con mejoría y la remisión completa. Resultados: Los pacientes incluidos fueron, en su mayoría, mujeres (84,6%) con edad promedio al diagnóstico fue de 11,1 ± 3,1 años. Las cuatro clasificaciones de MG fueron incluidas, con mayor proporción de MG generalizada leve (38,5%), seguida de ocular (23,1%) y generalizada moderada grave (23,1%). La evaluación de la progresión postquirúrgica demostró que a los tres meses de seguimiento 92,3% presentó mejorías, incluyendo la disminución del uso de medicamentos. La remisión total solo se registró en uno de los pacientes. Los pacientes que tuvieron cirugía antes de los 12 meses de evolución de la MGJ presentaron mejores resultados post timectomía por TVA. Conclusión: Se demostró la utilidad de timectomía por TVA en pacientes pediátricos mexicanos con MGJ. Nuestra experiencia agrega evidencia de que los pacientes pediátricos se benefician de la timectomía, mejorando su estado clínico y disminuyendo el uso de medicamentos y complicaciones e la enfermedad.

Objective: To describe the post-surgical clinical evolution of a case series of patients with juvenile myasthenia gravis (JMG) treated with right video-assisted thoracoscopic (TVA) thymectomy. Materials and Methods: Retrospective study that included 13 pediatric patients with JMG who underwent right TVA thymectomy at the Siglo XXI National Medical Center of Mexico between March 2016 and April 2022. Patients were clinically characterized, and the disease was classified according to Osserman's criteria. Post-surgical evolution was evaluated using the DeFilippi classification to determine the proportion of patients with improvement and complete remission. Results: The included patients were mostly women (84.6%) with a mean age at diagnosis of 11.1 ± 3.1 years. The four MG classifications were included, with the highest proportion of mild generalized MG (38.5%), followed by ocular (23.1%) and moderate-severe generalized (23.1%). The evaluation of post-surgical progression showed that after three months of follow-up, 92.3% presented improvements, including a decrease in the use of medications. Complete remission was only recorded in one of the patients. Patients who underwent surgery before 12 months of evolution of JMG had better results after TVA thymectomy. Conclusion: The usefulness of TVA thymectomy in Mexican pediatric patients with JMG was demonstrated. Our experience adds evidence that pediatric patients benefit from thymectomy by improving their clinical status and decreasing the use of medications and complications of the disease.

Tumor de timo asociado a inmunodeficiencia primaria o síndrome de Good / Thymus tumor associated with primary immunodeficiency or Good syndrome i: en

Se describe el caso clínico de un paciente de 54 años de edad, quien fue ingresado en el Hospital Docente Clínico-Quirúrgico Hermanos Ameijeiras de La Habana por presentar fiebre, hipotensión y diarrea, a lo que se añadió dificultad respiratoria complicada durante su estancia en la institución y requirió apoyo ventilatorio mecánico en la Unidad de Terapia Intensiva. Como hallazgo radiográfico se observó una sombra en el pulmón izquierdo que resultó ser un timoma; mientras que en el examen sanguíneo se comprobó hipogammaglobulinemia. Se decidió realizar timectomía convencional mediante esternotomía media, luego de lo cual evolucionó satisfactoriamente y se le dio el alta hospitalaria 10 días después.

The case report of a 54 years patient is described, who was admitted to Hermanos Ameijeiras Clinical-Surgical Teaching Hospital in Havana city due to fever, hypotension and diarrhea, to which complicated respiratory difficulty was added during his hospitalization and he required mechanical ventilator support in the Intensive Care Unit. As a radiographic finding, a shade in the left lung was observed that turned out to be a thymoma; while the blood test revealed hipogammaglobulinemia. It was decided to carry out conventional thymectomy by means of midline sternotomy, after which the patient had a favorable clinical course and was discharged from the hospital 10 days later.

SUBXIPHOID UNIPORTAL VATS THYMECTOMY IN CASES OF MYASTHENIA GRAVIS:SINGLE CENTRE EXPERIENCE

Background: Thymectomy has been identified as Constructive and active strategy for patients with Myasthenia gravis and thymic masses which have been done classically by Open Sternotomy technique and nowadays new Minimally invasive approaches have also been introduced. In this paper , Subxiphoid Uniportal VATS(Video Assis Method : ted Thoracoscopic Surgery) Thymectomy through a single port technique by utilizing the Subxiphoid approach has been discussed. I have improvised my technique pertaining to the requirements and better recovery and better post operative outcome of the patient .This procedure is indicated for all anterior mediastinal masses and maybe extended to lung cancer.The patient was placed in supine position instead of classical lithotomy position .Carbon dioxide insufflation was not used which led to faster recovery after the surgery.After dissection and resection of thymus Bilateral pleural drain were placed which was removed usually on Post Operative day 4 or 5 and patients were discharged afterwards. Several benefits of this Results: approach were observed and documented including reduced postoperative pain, Early extubation, better post operative outcome, and better dissection . In the near future ,the Subxiphoid approach has the potential to become Conclusion: GOLD STANDARD for Thymectomy and various other conditions

Efficacy and safety of robot-assisted thymectomy versus video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To evaluate the efficacy and safety of robot-assisted thymectomy (RATS) versus video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy (VATS). Methods    Web of Science, PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, Wanfang, VIP and CNKI databases were searched by computer from inception to February 2022. Relevant literatures that compared the efficacy and safety of RATS with those of VATS were screened. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to evaluate the quality of included cohort studies, and Review Manager 5.4 software was utilized to perform a meta-analysis. Results    A total of 16 retrospective cohort studies were included, covering a total of 1 793 patients (874 patients in the RATS group and 919 patients in the VATS group). The NOS scores of the included studies were≥7 points. Meta-analysis results revealed that RATS had less intraoperative bleeding (MD=−22.45, 95%CI −34.16 to −10.73, P<0.001), less postoperative chest drainage (MD=−80.29, 95%CI −144.86 to −15.72, P=0.010), shorter postoperative drainage time (MD=−0.69, 95%CI −1.08 to −0.30, P<0.001), shorter postoperative hospital stay (MD=−1.14, 95%CI −1.55 to −0.72, P<0.001) and fewer conversion to thoractomy (OR=0.40, 95%CI 0.23 to 0.69, P=0.001) than VATS; whereas, the operative time (MD=8.37, 95%CI −1.21 to 17.96, P=0.090), incidence of postoperative myasthenia gravis (OR=0.85, 95%CI 0.52 to 1.40, P=0.530), overall postoperative complications rate (OR=0.80, 95%CI 0.42 to 1.50, P=0.480) and tumour size (MD=−0.18, 95%CI −0.38 to 0.03, P=0.090) were not statistically different between the two groups. Conclusion    In the aspects of intraoperative bleeding, postoperative chest drainage, postoperative drainage time, postoperative hospital stay and conversion to thoracotomy, RATS has unique advantages over the VATS.

Long-term efficacy and influencing factors of extended thymectomy for myasthenia gravis with thymic atrophy / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To analyze the surgical efficacy and influencing factors of myasthenia gravis (MG) patients with thymic atrophy after thymectomy. Methods    The clinical data of MG patients with thymic atrophy undergoing thymectomy between October 2014 and May 2018 in Daping Hospital of Army Medical University and Shijiazhuang People Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Results    A total of 71 patients were collected, including 40 males and 31 females with a mean age of 45.17±12.42 years. All patients received the surgery successfully. After the surgery, 20 (28.17%) patients were stable remission, 12 (16.90%) patients were minimal manifestation status,19 (26.76%) patients were improved, 5 (7.04%) patients showed no change, 3 (4.23%) patients were worsened, 10 (14.08%) patients were exacerbated and 2 (2.82%) patients were dead. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the preoperative illness duration (OR=4.61, 95%CI 1.13-18.85, P=0.03), and postoperative pyridostigmine combined with immunosuppressive (OR=0.12, 95%CI 0.03-0.45, P=0.00) were independent risk factors for long-term efficacy of thymectomy for MG patients with thymic atrophy. Conclusion    Early surgery after diagnosis of MG and postoperative pyridostigmine combined with immunosuppressive treatment is beneficial to the prognosis of MG patients with thymic atrophy.

Acute and chronic pain after subxiphoid versus transcostal thoracoscopic extended thymectomy: A propensity score matching study / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective     To compare and analyze the occurrence of acute and chronic pain after subxiphoid and transcostal thoracoscopic extended thymectomy. Methods    A retrospective analysis was performed on 150 patients who underwent thoracoscopic extended thymectomy in our hospital from July 2020 to June 2022, among whome 30 patients received subxiphoid video-assisted thoracic surgery, and 120 patients received transcostal video-assisted thoracic surgery. The patients were matched by the propensity score matching method. Postoperative pain was evaluated by numeric rating scale (NRS). The intraoperative conditions and postoperative pain incidence were compared between the two groups. Results    After matching, 60 patients were enrolled, 30 in each group, including 30 males and 30 females with an average age of 50.78±12.13 years. There was no difference in the general clinical data between the two groups (P>0.05), and no perioperative death. There were statistical differences in the intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, postoperative catheter duration, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative pain on 1 d, 2 d, 3 d, 7 d, 3 months and 6 months after the surgery (P<0.05), but there was no statistical difference in the operation time or the postoperative 14 d NRS score (P>0.05). Further univariate and multivariate analyses for postoperative chronic pain showed that surgical method and postoperative 14 d NRS score were risk factors for chronic pain at the 3 months and 6 months after the surgery (P<0.05). Conclusion     The subxiphoid thoracoscopic extended thymectomy has advantages over transcostal thoracoscopic surgery in the postoperative acute and chronic pain.

Subxiphoid versus intercostal video-assisted thoracoscopic extended thymectomy for myasthenia gravis: A retrospective cohort study / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective     To compare the clinical efficacy of subxiphoid video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (XVATS) and conventional intercostal VATS (CVATS) extended thymectomy for myasthenia gravis (MG). Methods    The clinical data of MG patients who underwent extended thymectomy in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Xuzhou Central Hospital from October 2016 to October 2021 and finished the follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. They were divided into an XVATS group and a CVATS group according to the procedure. The perioperative variables and clinical efficacy of the two groups were compared. Results    A total of 84 patients were collected, including 43 males and 41 females, with a mean age of 52.3 years. There were 41 patients in the XVATS group and 43 patients in the CVATS group. There was no mortality, cardiopulmonary thrombosis, prolonged air leak, or mediastinal infection. Additionally, the CVATS group recorded 5 (11.6%) patients of conversion to open thoracotomy, 1 (2.3%) patient of postoperative MG crisis, 1 (2.3%) patient of bleeding in thorax, and 1 (2.3%) patient of chylothorax. The operation time (127.4±50.4 min vs. 122.9±38.6 min), intraoperative bleeding [46.9 (25.7, 79.2) mL vs. 45.7 (21.9, 92.1) mL], incidence of complications [0 vs. 7.0% (3/43)], chest tube duration (4.3±1.9 d vs. 4.8±2.8 d), follow-up time (19.1±8.5 months vs. 22.5±13.7 months), the proportion of residual mediastinal fat tissue [12.2% (5/41) vs. 4.7% (2/43)], and total MG remission rate [29.3% (12/41) vs. 51.2% (22/43)] were not statistically different between the two groups (P>0.05). However, the two groups showed  significantly different incidence of conversion to open thoracotomy [0 vs. 11.6% (5/43), P=0.024], postoperative hospital stay time (8.2±3.3 d vs. 11.4±5.8 d, P=0.003) and total drainage volume [396.7 (173.8, 542.5) mL vs. 218.8 (102.1, 430.0) mL, P=0.038]. Conclusion    XVATS extended thymectomy is technically safe and feasible; however, more evidence is warranted before the recommendation of this approach for the treatment of MG.

Clinical efficacy and learning curve of robot-assisted thymectomy via subxiphoid approach / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective     To explore the clinical efficacy and learning curve of robot-assisted thymectomy via subxiphoid approach. Methods    The clinical data of patients with robot-assisted thymectomy surgery via subxiphoid approach performed by the same surgical team in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital from February 2021 to August 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis and best fit curve were used to analyze the learning curve of this surgery. The general information and perioperative indicators of patients at different learning stages were compared to explore the impact of different learning stages on clinical efficacy of patients. Results    A total of 67 patients were enrolled, including 31 males and 36 females, aged 57.10 (54.60, 59.60) years. The operation time was 117.00 (87.00, 150.00) min. The best fitting equation of CUSUM learning curve was y=0.021 2x3–3.192 5x2 +120.17x–84.444 (x was the number of surgical cases), which had a high R2 value of 0.977 8, and the fitting curve reached the top at the 25th case. Based on this, the learning curve was divided into a learning period and a proficiency period. The operation time and intraoperative blood loss in the proficiency stage were significantly shorter or less than those in the learning stage (P<0.001), and there was no statistical difference in thoracic drainage time and volume between the two stages (P>0.05). Conclusion    The learning process of robot-assisted thymectomy via subxiphoid approach is safe, and this technique can be skillfully mastered after 25 cases.

The 100 most cited studies on surgical treatment of myasthenia gravis: A bibliometric analysis / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To analyze the research hotspots and progress of surgical treatment of myasthenia gravis. Methods    The top 100 most cited articles on surgical treatment of myasthenia gravis were identified by searching the Web of Science database, and a bibliometric analysis was conducted. Results    The publication year of the top 100 most cited articles ranged from 1939 to 2021, and the number of citations ranged from 55 to 850 per article. Most of the included articles were original research articles (75/100), which were mainly retrospective studies (64/75). The United States was the country with the most published articles and most citations, and Annals of Thoracic Surgery was the most sourced journal (n=20). Through VOSviewer analysis, high-density keywords were thymectomy, maximal thymectomy, extended thymectomy, transcervical thymectomy, thymoma, and autoantibodies. Conclusion    The scope of surgical resection, surgical approach and pathogenesis are the current hotspots in the field of surgical treatment of myasthenia gravis. It is hoped that this paper can provide references for future researches in this field.

Safety evaluation of thymectomy in elderly patients aged 65 years and over / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the safety of thymic surgery in patients aged 65 years and over.Methods:A total of 696 patients who underwent thymectomy/thymoma resection in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Beijing Hospital from November 2011 to March 2022 were collected and divided into two groups according to the age of 65 years old.The preoperative course of disease, MG stage, dosage of pyridostigmine bromide, American College of Anesthesiologists(ASA)score, surgical method, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative drainage, postoperative complications, Clavien-dindo score(CDC), and myasthenic crisis were recorded and statistically analyzed.Results:A total of 696 patients were enrolled, including 364 males and 332 females, aged 15~86 years, with an average age of 49.1 years.There were 309 patients with thymoma, 565 patients with MG, and 178 patients with both.There were 124 cases in the elderly group(≥65 years old)and 572 cases in the non-elderly group(<65 years old). The incidence of thymoma was higher in the elderly group(54.8 % versus 42.1 %, χ2=6.664, P=0.010), while the incidence of MG was lower(67.7 % versus 84.1 %, χ2=17.827, P<0.001). The ASA score of the elderly group was higher than that of the non-elderly group( χ2=52.372, P=0.000), and the preoperative ventilation function FEV1 and FEV1/FVC were also significantly lower than those of the non-elderly group( z=8.187, 4.580, P=0.000 for all). The drainage volume in the first 3 days after operation and postoperative drainage tube time in the elderly group were significantly higher than those in the non-elderly group( P=0.018, P=0.003). The incidence of postoperative myasthenia crisis in the elderly group was higher than that in the non-elderly group( P=0.034). There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups, but after Clavien-dindo classification, the score of the elderly group was higher than that of the non-elderly group( P=0.003). Although the ASA score and Clavien-dindo score of the elderly group were both higher than those of the non-elderly group, there was no correlation between the two. Conclusions:Although the preoperative ASA score and pulmonary function of elderly patients were poorer than those in the non-elderly group, while the incidence of postoperative myasthenia crisis was higher, and the incidence of postoperative complications was not higher, the Clavien-dindo classification, however, was higher in elderly patients than that of the non-elderly group.After careful preoperative evaluation and strengthening perioperative management, most elderly patients can receive thymus surgery safely with acceptable risks.

Anesthetic Management in A Patient with Myasthenia Gravis Posted for Thymectomy

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease which causes disorder in transmission at the neuromuscular junction. In patients with myasthenia gravis undergoing surgical procedures administration of general anaesthesia becomes challenging. Overall safe general anaesthesia can be achieved through adequate preoperative assessment and optimization; vigilant intraoperative monitoring of neuromuscular transmission along with adequate dose titrations and by Train of four responses (TOF) guided administration of non depolarising muscle relaxants.

Retrospective histopathology audit of thymectomy specimens: A clinicopathological study of 303 cases spanning the non-neoplastic, benign and malignant spectrum

Aims: Thymectomy specimens are uncommon in routine histopathology practice. However, awareness of various pathologic entities and definite reporting of these specimens is paramount to optimal patient management. Our objective was to determine the histomorphologic spectrum of thymectomy specimens spanning the non-neoplastic, benign to malignant spectrum. Methods and Results: Thymectomies received over an 8-year period were retrospectively analyzed by reviewing clinical details and histologic findings in detail, incorporating the latest World Health Organization (WHO) 2015 histologic classification. A total of 303 thymectomy specimens (179 males/124 females, mean age 45.3 years [3–84 years]) were included. Around 51.2% (n = 155) patients had associated myasthenia gravis (MG), while 17.5% (n = 53) had incidentally detected anterior mediastinal mass (AMM). Non-neoplastic and benign pathologies comprised 31% (n = 94) cases and showed stronger association with MG (P = 0.009). Thymic follicular hyperplasia (TFH) was the commonest non-neoplastic pathology (n = 32), while the benign tumor group included thymic hemangioma/lymphangioma, thymolipoma, and ectopic parathyroid adenoma. Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) comprised 64.7% cases, with majority being thymomas (185/303; 61.1%). Thymoma type B2 was the commonest histologic subtype and Stage I/T1 was the most frequent stage. Type A and AB thymomas affected older patients (P = 0.005) and were in lower stage (both Masaoka and American Joint Committee on Cancer [AJCC]) than type B thymomas (P = 0.007). No significant association between MG and thymoma subtype, patient sex or Masaoka stage was seen (P > 0.05). Thymic carcinomas comprised 11 cases and showed no association with MG (0/11, P < 0.001); squamous cell carcinoma was the commonest histologic type (8/11; 72.7%). Conclusion: TETs are the commonest thymic lesions; however, a diverse spectrum of pathologic processes can affect the thymus.

Perioperative Management of Myasthenia Gravis Patient for off Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery and Thymectomy

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by antibody?mediated immunologic reaction striking the acetylcholine receptors. The anesthesia concerns for patients with MG include the disease state, drug interactions, and the anesthetic medications particularly the neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs). The anesthesia management in these patients is meticulous and requires appropriate execution of knowledge. Besides, such patient for off?pump coronary artery bypass surgery is quite uncommon; hence, we report this case.

Thymectomy for myasthenia gravis: A pathological analysis

Background: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a prototypic T-cell-dependent antibody-mediated autoimmune disease that leads to ocular or generalized muscular weakness. The disease is most commonly caused by antibodies to the acetylcholine receptors, often with underlying thymic pathology. Aims: This study is aimed at analyzing the pathological spectrum of the excised thymuses in patients with myasthenia. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective 10-year study of 68 thymectomy specimens performed as a part of the treatment of patients with MG. Statistical Analysis: Nil. Results: There were 47 males and 21 females (male to female ratio of 2.2:1) with a mean age of 41 years. Only three patients presented with ocular myasthenia. The thymus was normal in 9 patients (13.2%) and atrophic in 17 patients (25%). Follicular hyperplasia and thymomas were seen in 6 and 36 patients, respectively. Conclusion: The thymectomies performed in patients of MG had a fairly variable spectrum on histology; the thymic tumors were predominantly of the cortical phenotype.

Comparative study of characteristics and safety of video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy between artificial pneumothorax combining subxiphoid-costal margin approach versus right thoracic cavity approach / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective:To proceed a comparative study of characteristics and safety of video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy between artificial pneumothorax combining subxiphoid-costal margin approach versus right thoracic cavity approach.Methods:From January 2018 to December 2021, 251 patients(including myasthenia gravis with thymic hyperplasia or thymoma, thymic cysts and anterior mediastinal occupying lesions)undergoing thoracoscopic extended thymectomy in our department were retrospectively studied, and their clinical data were collected.The surgical methods were divided into artificial pneumothorax combining xiphoid costal margin approach(artificial pneumothorax group, n=165)and via right thoracic approach(right thoracic group, n=86). Clinical data such as preoperative information, operative duration, blood loss, postoperative drainage, drainage duration, and surgical complication were compared between two groups.Results:There were no statistical differences in age, gender and pathology between two groups(all P>0.05). Compared with the right thoracic group, operative duration[(108.6±45.2)min vs.(127.6±42.1)min, t=-3.628, P=0.000], intraoperative blood loss[(37.9±131.7)ml vs.(107.4±284.8)ml, t=-8.215, P=0.000], postoperative drainage volume[(379.0±285.5)ml vs.(646.6±373.3 ml), t=-6.277, P=0.000]and drainage duration[(2.2±1.0)d vs.(3.1±1.0)d, t=-7.275, P=0.000]were statistically significantly decreased in the artificial pneumothorax group.No significant difference was found(all P>0.05)in phrenic nerve injury(1/165 vs.0/86, P=1.000), myasthenia crisis(3/89 vs.2/66, χ2=0.014, P=0.906), and the conversion to thoracotomy(3/165 vs.2/86, P=1.000). Conclusions:VATS thymectomy by artificial pneumothorax combining subxiphoid-costal margin approach is a safer method, having a less trauma, less bleeding and less incidence rate of complication.Especially, it is more suitable for elderly female patients who cannot be intubated in double lumen, cannot tolerate one-lung ventilation, and have pulmonary insufficiency.

Expert consensus on the safety of tubeless robotic thymectomy / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Thymectomy is an important treatment for thymoma and myasthenia gravis. The application of minimally invasive surgery to complete thymectomy and rapid recovery of patients after surgery is a developmental goal in thoracic surgery technology. Surgical robots have many technical advantages and are applied for many years in mediastinal tumor resections, a process that has led to its recognition. We published this consensus with the aim of examining how to ensure surgical safety based on the premise that better use of surgical robots achieving rapid recovery after surgery. We invited multiple experts in thoracic surgery to discuss the safety and technical issues of thymectomy under nonintubated anesthesia, and the consensus was made after several explorations and modifications.

Chinese clinical expert consensus on surgical treatment of myasthenia gravis / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease with indefinite pathogenesis. MG is closely related to thymic diseases, and thymectomy is an important way for MG treatment. However, there are some controversies regarding thymectomy, including indications, operation opportunities, operative procedures, surgical approaches, perioperative managements, and efficacy evaluations, etc. Therefore, based on the literature and the experience of Chinese experts, this consensus has been written after careful discussion and inquiry and 29 recommendations have been made, aiming to guide surgical treatment of MG and improve the clinical outcomes.

Analysis of extended thymectomy for the treatment of myasthenia gravis of 527 cases / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective:To summarize the surgical treatment experience of extended thymectomy for myasthenia gravis(MG), and to explore the surgical treatment of MG.Methods:Retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 527 MG patients undergoing extended thymectomy in our hospital from June 1996 to October 2017, including 242 males and 285 females, aged 5 to 77 years, with a mean age of(52.6±13.7) years old. The course of illness was 12 days to 18 years. There were 22 cases of hyperthyroidism, 7 cases of pure red blood cell aplastic anemia, 1 case each of hypothyroidism, irritable bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and thrombocytopenia syndrome. There were 272 cases of MG in Osserman Ⅰ, 72 cases inⅡa, 78 cases inⅡb, 81 cases in Ⅲ, and 24 cases in Ⅳ, respectively. The muscle fatigue test and neostigmine test of all patients were positive, and the diagnosis was confirmed by chest CT examination. Meanwhile, summarize the perioperative data and postoperative follow-up.Results:3 cases died during the postoperative period, all of which were thymoma with MG, including 2 cases of Osserman Ⅲ MG and 1 case of Ⅳ MG; 15 cases of postoperative myasthenia crisis, including 2 OssermanⅡb cases, 11 Osserman Ⅲ cases and 2 Osserman Ⅳ cases, also including 7 cases of tracheotomy; 70 cases of plasma exchange, of whom 2 cases of hypotonic syndrome and 2 cases of lower extremity venous thrombosis. The postoperative pathological types were followed by thymic hyperplasia 293 cases(55.60%), thymoma 207 cases(39.28%), thymic cyst 24 cases(4.55%) and thymic atrophy 3 cases(0.57%) in descending order. 378 cases were followed up with an average follow-up of(85.9±58.5)months; MG with complete remission, partial remission, no change and deterioration accounted for 135(35.71%), 192(50.79%), 41(10.85%) and 10(2.65%)cases, respectively. Complete remission rate ranked as Osserman typeⅠ>Ⅱa>Ⅳ>Ⅱb>Ⅲ, the deterioration rate from high to low was Osserman type Ⅲ>Ⅳ>Ⅰ. 18 OssermanⅠcases showed no effects, whose preoperative course of disease> 5-10 years; 1 OssermanⅠcase was worsening who initially was diagnosed with ophthalmic MG and underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy. The left thymus lobe was left unresected and developed 6 years later. Another operation was performed to remove the left lobe thymus, confirming the compensatory hypertrophy of the left lobe thymus. Among the worsening patients, 6 died, all of them were thymoma with MG, including 5 cases of type Ⅲ and one case of type Ⅳ. The cause of death was omyasthenia crisis(3 cases), sudden respiratory arrest after 3 months of rapid stopping of brompistigmine(2 cases)and cholinergic crisis(1 case).Conclusion:Standardized extended thymectomy is an effective method for the treatment of MG. Earlier surgery for ocular muscle type MG can effectively reduce the risk of generalization. MG with Osserman Ⅱb or higher is prone to myasthenia crisis. Comprehensive treatments should be taken to reduce MG-related risks. Myasthenia crisis can occur repeatedly in severe patients in the long term after surgery, requiring regular medication and comprehensive MG treatments.

Perioperative symptom changes of 104 cases of myasthenia gravis / 中国综合临床

Objective:To discuss the perioperative symptom change rule of patients with myasthenia gravis(MG), and to provide a theoretical basis for preventing and reducing the surgical risk of patients with MG.Methods:The clinical data of 104 patients who underwent thymectomy in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from 2015 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the degree of the impact of MG symptoms on the body's physiology and life, the "MG dynamic classification standard" was formulated, which was divided into type 0-type Ⅳ according to the severity of MG symptoms. The symptoms of each patient of "admission", "preoperative" and "postoperative" are classified according to the "dynamic classification criteria", and the number of "admission", "preoperative" and "postoperative" were counted respectively. Based on the statistical analysis of each patient's type changes, the perioperative symptom changes of myasthenia gravis patients were summarized.Results:1. "Admission" classification: 12 cases of type 0, 42 cases of type Ⅰ, 32 cases of type Ⅱ, 12 cases of type Ⅲ, 5 cases of type Ⅳa, and 1 case of type Ⅳb. 2. "Preoperative" classification: 44 cases of type 0, 34 cases of type Ⅰ, 14 cases of type Ⅱ, 12 cases of type Ⅲ; 68 cases of preoperative symptom reduction (65.4%, 68/104), 36 cases of preoperative symptom stable (34.6%, 36/104). Asymptomatic aggravation. 3. "Postoperative" classification: 49 cases of type 0, 21 cases of type Ⅰ, 11 cases of type Ⅱ, 10 cases of type Ⅲ, 9 cases of type Ⅳa, 4 cases of type Ⅳb; 33 cases (31.7%, 33/104) had postoperative symptoms aggravated. Among the patients with worsening symptoms after surgery, 5 cases (15.2%, 5/33) worsened on the first day after surgery, 9 cases (27.2%, 9/33) worsened on the second day after surgery, and 13 cases (39.4%, 13/33) worsened on the third day after surgery. There were 4 cases (12.1%, 4/33) worsened on the 4th day, and 2 cases (6.1%, 2/33) worsened on the 5th day after surgery.Conclusion:MG patients had different conditions at admission. After individualized perioperative treatment, more than half of the patients' symptoms alleviated to varying degrees. After the operation, the symptoms of MG will be temporarily aggravated due to the effects of surgery and anesthesia, and the aggravation period is mostly on 1-3 days. Reasonable selection of low-risk MG patients for surgery, avoiding the superposition of other influencing factors in the postoperative exacerbation period, is expected to reduce the occurrence of postoperative crises in MG patients.