Objective To summarize experiences of surgical treatment and long-term results of myasthenia gravis (MG). Methods Two hundred thirty-six patients underwent thymectomy for MG in our department from Jan.1978 to Dec. 2002. The perioperative management, relative factors of postoperative crisis and long-term results were analysed. Results In 236 patients postoperative crisis took place in 44 cases accounted for 18.6%. The occurrence of postoperative crisis was related to preoperative management, modified Osserman clinical classification and combination with thymoma. Three cases died in the postoperative periods. Among them, one died of acute respiratory distress syndrome induced by aspiration and the other died of crisis. The effective rate in 1, 3, 5 years was 84.6%, 91.0% and 89.0% respectively. Conclusions Thymectomy for MG is safe and effective. Delayed extubation could decrease the needs of tracheotomy in patients with high risk factors for postoperative crisis. The partial sternotomy approach is less traumatic but the long-term effects of surgery are identical to those reported by the most authors.
Objective To introduce the procedure of thoracic outlet tumors removal through posterior thoracotomy and its efficacy. Methods Ten patients with thoracic outlet tumors underwent surgical treatment via posterior approach from June 2004 to June 2007. Five patients suffered from neurogenic tumors, 4 patients apical lung carcinomas, and 1 patient apicoposterior lung tumor. The skin incision was started superiorly lateral to the transverse process of 6th cervical vertebrae, carried downward a way between the medial border of the scapula and the posterior midline and was extended in a gentle arc below the inferior angle of the scapula to the posterior axillary line. The chest was entered and the tumor is removed through resecting the rib(2nd or 3rd rib) located at the lower edge of the tumor after the scapula had been pushed forward. Results There was no death in this group. Tumors in 9 patients were resected completely. Thoracotomy only was done in another patients as a result of tumor invading neighboring major organs. Shoulder and back pain in 3 of 4 patients was remitted postoperatively. Two patients with “dumbell” neurogenic tumors improved strength of lower limbs. Pain and abdominal wall reflex resumed in one patient and muscle strength of lower limbs increased to 4th grade from 2nd grade in another one. Two patients required thoracentesis because of complicating with pleural effusion. The mean followup period was 18 months (range 336). Seven of 10 patients still lead a normal life. Conclusion Posterior thoracotomy can provide an excellent approach to remove the thoracic outlet tumors safely and completely.
Objective To introduce the technique of esophageal intraluminal stenting and assess its effect on the prevention of development of stenosis in patients with esophageal burns. Methods Thirty-three patients were admitted less than 3 weeks after ingestion of caustic agents. The second-or third-degree injuries were confirmed by esophogoscopy in all cases, but one with esophageal perforation at admission. Esophageal stenting was performed in all patients and these stents were kept in place for 4 to 6 months. Results There was no death in the series. All patients had a normal intake of food after removal of the stents, and stricture was not found on barium swallow test. Follow-up from 1 to 60 months five cases developed esophageal stenosis from 2 to 3 months after extracting the stents. One of them responded to esophageal bougienage, the remaining 4 patients required esophageal reconstruction and took a normal diet postoperatively. The other 28 patients have a normal diet after the stent removal. Conclusion The esophageal intraluminal stenting is able to prevent the formation of stricture in the aftermath of esophageal burns and its effect will be enhanced plus administering isoniazid.