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Question: Why can't MG patients have surgery?

People with myasthenia gravis can have surgery, but special precautions need to be taken. Surgery and anesthesia can potentially trigger a myasthenic crisis - a serious condition where respiratory muscles become too weak to breathe independently.

Key considerations for MG Show Full Answer

Question: Why can't MG patients have surgery?

People with myasthenia gravis can have surgery, but special precautions need to be taken. Surgery and anesthesia can potentially trigger a myasthenic crisis - a serious condition where respiratory muscles become too weak to breathe independently.

Key considerations for MG patients having surgery:
• Must inform surgeon and anesthesiologist about MG diagnosis
• Request surgical team experienced with MG patients
• Special monitoring needed before, during and after surgery
• May need to adjust MG medications around surgery time Warning signs of myasthenic crisis during/after surgery include:
• Difficulty breathing
• Problems swallowing
• Weakness of respiratory muscles

To minimize risks, surgical teams will carefully evaluate MG stability before any procedure. They may recommend plasma exchange treatments before surgery to help strengthen the patient temporarily. With proper precautions and experienced medical teams, most MG patients can safely undergo necessary surgical procedures.

 AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

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