A comparison of the effectiveness of intravenous immunoglobulin and plasma exchange as preoperative therapy of myasthenia gravis.

OBJECTIVES

Immunomodulation with plasma exchange is effective in preparing patients for thymectomy. Newer forms of immunomodulation, such as intravenous immunomodulation, require evaluation in this clinical setting.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective chart review to determine if plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin had comparable effectiveness in the preoperative preparation of patients with myasthenia gravis.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The results show that intravenous immunoglobulin may have comparable efficacy in the preoperative preparation of patients with myasthenia gravis and that this therapy is a reasonable alternative to plasma exchange in this clinical setting.