Ministernotomy Thymectomy in Mysthania Gravis-Future

A thymectomy is the surgical removal of the thymus gland. The thymus has been demonstrated to play a role in the development of MG. It is removed in an effort to improve the weakness caused by MG, and to remove a thymoma if present.About 10% of MG patients have a tumor of the thymus called a thymoma. Most of these tumors are benign and tend to grow very slowly; on occasion they are malignant (“cancerous”).A thymectomy is recommended for patients under the age of 60 (occasionally older) with moderate to severe MG weakness. It is sometimes recommended for patients with relatively mild weakness, especially if there is weakness of the respiratory (breathing) or oropharyngeal (swallowing) muscles. It is also recommended for all patients with a thymoma.