LIV: Studies in myasthenia gravis: The role of tracheotomy and controlled ventilation

1. The care of the myasthenic patient in crisis presents challenging problems to the otolaryngologist as a member of a team charged with the treatment of such patients. 2. Early institution of airway control measures has resulted in an impressive reduction in mortality of myasthenic patients in crisis. 3. Clinical staging of the myasthenic patient in crisis has proven therapeutically useful. 4. Six hundred and twenty-five myasthenics have been treated at the Mount Sinai Hospital since the inception of the myasthenia gravis clinic in 1951. Of these, 99 patients (15.8%) have suffered crisis on one or more occasions. Mortality in crisis has been reduced from 43% to 14% through the application of the techniques outlined in this report.