Transcervical thymectomy.

Abstract

Transcervical thymectomy has been used in the management of myasthenia gravis for over 20 years. Contraindications to this operation include advanced age, poorly controlled neurologic symptoms, and evidence for a thymoma. The procedure is associated with negligible morbidity and requires only a brief hospitalization. Remission rates are comparable with those reported for more extensive thymectomy operations.