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

Abstract

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.