Published on: 6/20/2025
When is surgery considered for treating myasthenia gravis?
Surgery, called thymectomy, is sometimes used to treat myasthenia gravis, especially if there is a thymoma or if symptoms are severe and not well-controlled with medication.
Explanation
Thymectomy is a surgical procedure where the thymus gland is removed. It is considered for some people with myasthenia gravis, a condition where muscles become weak.
When is Thymectomy Considered?
- Presence of Thymoma: If a person has a thymoma, which is a tumor in the thymus gland, surgery is usually recommended.
- Severe Symptoms: For those with severe symptoms that do not improve with medication, thymectomy might help.
- Generalized Myasthenia Gravis: It is often considered for those with generalized myasthenia gravis, affecting multiple muscle groups.
Benefits of Thymectomy
- Some studies show that thymectomy can help reduce symptoms and the need for medication.
- It may improve muscle strength and reduce the severity of the disease over time.
Thymectomy is not suitable for everyone, and decisions are made based on individual health conditions and discussions with healthcare providers.
(References)
- Rath J, Moser B, & Zimprich F. (2023). Thymectomy in myasthenia gravis. Current opinion in neurology, 37639450.
- Spillane J, Hayward M, Hirsch NP, Taylor C, Kullmann DM, & Howard RS. (2013). Thymectomy: role in the treatment of myasthenia gravis. Journal of neurology, 23508539.
- de Perrot M, & McRae K. (2017). Evidence for thymectomy in myasthenia gravis. The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, 26880052.
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