Criteria for Postoperative Mechanical Ventilation After Thymectomy in Patients With Myasthenia Gravis: A Retrospective Analysis

The predictors of postoperative ventilation in myasthenic patients undergoing thymectomy as per our study are: 1. Grade of myasthenia; 2. History of preoperative myasthenic crisis; 3. Anti-acetylcholine antibodies positivity; 4. Presence of thymoma; and 5. a vital capacity < 2.9 litres. Use of thoracic epidural as a part of combined anesthetic technique helps to reduce the need of mechanical ventilation in these patients.