A thymectomy is surgery to remove the thymus gland, which is located in the upper portion of the chest, behind the sternum (breastbone).
- Chest
- Sternum
- Neck
- Thymus gland
Thymectomy is used to treat myasthenia gravis, a disease characterized by weakness of skeletal muscles of the body. The thymus gland is part of the body’s endocrine system and controls T cell growth early in life. It acts abnormally when a person has myasthenia gravis. Thymectomy may also be performed due to the presence of a tumor on the thymus (thymoma or thymic cancer).
- Your doctor will likely do the following:
- X-rays
- Blood tests
- Urine tests
- Muscle strength tests
- Breathing tests
- Follow a special diet, which may include withholding foods and fluids before surgery.
- Take certain medications.
- Avoid certain medications.
- Arrange to have someone drive you to and from the procedure, and for help at home after your procedure.
General—You will be asleep for the duration of the procedure.
There are two ways a thymectomy is performed. One, called the transsternal approach, involves making an incision over your sternum. The surgeon then separates the sternum, exposing the thymus gland.
The other approach, called the transcervical approach, involves making a small incision across the lower part of the neck, just above the sternum. In both approaches, the surgeon will remove the thymus gland and then close the incision with stitches or staples.
Minimally invasive procedures may also be utilized.
In robot-assisted thoracic procedures, a surgeon guides robotic arms to perform thoracic surgery through several tiny “keyhole” incisions.
Once the anesthesia has worn off, you will be taken to a recovery room, where you will be given fluids and medication via an intravenous (IV) line. You will be instructed to practice deep breathing, coughing, and frequent turning. Nurses will measure your muscle strength and breathing ability to determine the effectiveness of the surgery.
You may feel some pain as the anesthesia wears off, but it can be managed with pain medications.
- Infection
- Respiratory failure
- Permanent nerve injury
- Death
The recovery time varies from patient to patient, depending on the surgical approach. It may take as little as 1-2 weeks or as long as three months before you can return to work or school.
Thymectomy can lessen the severity of myasthenia gravis symptoms, but the degree to which symptoms are lessened varies among patients. Improvement in muscle strength may take several months to a few years.
It is important to work with a neurologist during the recovery period to regulate medications in order to control your myasthenia gravis symptoms.
Thymectomy is also performed to try to stop the spread of cancer from the thymus to other organs.
- Signs of infection, including fever and chills
- Redness, swelling, increasing pain, or discharge from the incision site
- Difficulty breathing
- Any other worrisome symptoms
Last reviewed November 2007 by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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