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Thymectomy Risks & Benefits

A thymectomy is the surgical removal of the thymus gland. It is a major surgery performed as an in-patient under general anesthesia. The surgery is performed in three ways. Transsternal surgery opens the chest and pulls apart the breastbone to remove the thymus. Transcervical surgery enters below the neck above the sternum. Video assisted surgery inserts a video camera into the chest to help the doctor see and remove the thymus through a smaller incision.

  1. Benefits

    • The surgery is used as a treatment for myasthenia gravis. Myasthenia gravis is a medical condition where the immune system attacks the nervous system in such a way that muscle weakness results. When the abnormally functioning thymus gland is removed, the immune system attack ceases and given enough time, muscle strength may return. This surgery may also be necessary if there is a tumor on the thymus gland. The benefits of a thymectomy include bringing about a remission to myasthenia gravis and removing a diseased or malfunctioning thymus gland that is negatively impacting the immune system.

    Risks

    • A thymectomy has some degree of risk, since it is a major surgery and involves the use of general anesthesia. In addition, since the operation takes place in the chest, there is a risk of collapsed lung. Other risks of thymectomy include excessive bleeding and infection. Since patients with myasthenia gravis are usually already in a weakened state, they can become even weaker from the stress of surgery. The following symptoms might indicate a complication from thymectomy surgery is developing: fever, chills, chest pain, trouble breathing, swelling in the feet, pain in the legs, blood in the urine, persistent nausea and uncontrollable pain. Patients over the age of 60 have an increased risk for complications with the surgery.

    Precautions

    • Some supplements, herbs, and medications may increase the risk of bleeding during surgery. The doctor may advise discontinuing these substances one or two weeks prior to the surgery. Patients should expect a long recovery period. Recovery from a thymectomy can take up to three months for a transsternal operation. It can take several months to a few years to regain muscle strength that was lost due to myasthenia gravis.

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