[Myasthenia gravis: an analysis of patients with postoperative crisis after thymectomy]

Five patients with myasthenia gravis whose condition declined during the postoperative unstable period were studied. The Osserman's type, age at the time of onset, duration of illness, sex, age at the time of surgery, preoperative steroid therapy, thymoma and acetyl choline receptor antibody titers were compared with those of 21 patients (control) with myasthenia gravis who had an uneventful postoperative course. In comparison, the study group's Osserman's type was slight, age at the time of onset was older (p < 0.05) and duration of illness was shorter (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups in sex, age at the time of surgery, thymoma and acetyl choline receptor antibody titers. None of them had preoperative steroid therapy. Intensive postoperative management and careful follow-up at the postoperative unstable period are necessary particularly for patients who have slight Osserman's type, old age at the time of onset, short duration of illness and no preoperative steroid therapy.