Surgical treatment of thymomas is indicated for Masaoka stage 1 to 3. We are not in favor of mini-invasive techniques. We consider a gold standard to be sternotomy followed by a tumor removal and extended thymectomy. We are convinced it is necessary to perform sternotomy, tumor removal and extended thymectomy after a thymoma resection through thoracotomy to prevent a late onset of myasthenia gravis. In stages 2 to 3 actinotherapy along with chemotherapy should follow surgery to increase the patient's chances for a prolonged survival (Tab. 10).

3rd Department of Surgery Motol Hospital 1st Medical Faculty Charles University Prague Czech Republic

Early postdenervation depolarization is controlled by acetylcholine and glutamate via nitric oxide regulation of the chloride transporter