Peri operative management of robotic assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy in a patient with myasthenia gravis

Abstract

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder of the neuromuscular junction in which antibodies directed against postsynaptic acetylcholine receptors (AChR) causes fluctuating muscle fatigue and weakness. The prevalence of MG is estimated at 15-20 per 100,000 population, with a bimodal distribution affecting young women and older men. Thymectomy is a crucial component in the treatment of generalized MG and has been proven to improve outcomes and reduce reliance on long-term immunosuppressive therapy in selected patients. Nowadays open trans sternal thymectomy is replaced with thoracoscopic or robotic thymectomy techniques.