Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune neuromuscular disease caused by antibodies against acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction. It causes muscle weakness and fatigability. It most commonly affects young women and older men. Symptoms include drooping eyelids, double vision, difficulty speaking and swallowing. Diagnosis involves testing for autoantibodies, electrophysiology and response to medication challenges. Treatment includes anticholinesterases, immunosuppression, thymectomy and management of exacerbations. Anesthetic management focuses on optimizing the patient, using regional techniques when possible and careful airway management and extubation planning due to risk of respiratory failure.