Table 2.
Comparison of neurological outcomes between subxiphoid approach and trans-sternal approach groups.
| Variables | Subxiphoid group | Trans-sternal group | P |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pyridostigmine daily preoperatively, mean (mg) | 194.3 ± 31.4 | 191.3 ± 29.5 | 0.645 |
| Steroids preoperatively (yes/no) | 13/31 | 14/31 | 1 |
| Immunosuppressive drugs preoperatively (yes/no) | 8/36 | 8/37 | 1 |
| Perioperative immunoglobin (yes/no) | 18/26 | 14/31 | 0.382 |
| Postoperative MG crisis, n | 2 | 4 | 0.677 |
| QMGs at initial diagnosis | 12.0 ± 2.8 | 12.1 ± 2.5 | 0.909 |
| QMGs preoperatively | 8.7 ± 1.4 | 8.9 ± 1.2 | 0.514 |
| QMGs 1 month postoperatively |
6.7 ± 1.4 | 8.6 ± 1.6 | <0.001 |
| QMGs 3 months postoperatively |
6.3 ± 1.7 | 7.2 ± 1.7 | 0.011 |
| QMGs 6 months postoperatively |
6.0 ± 1.6 | 6.4 ± 1.7 | 0.217 |
| QMGs 12 months postoperatively |
5.6 ± 1.5 | 6.0 ± 1.7 | 0.317 |
QMG, quantitative myasthenia gravis score; MG, myasthenia gravis.