Patients diagnosed with thymoma or myasthenia gravis, often their main concern is towards a better recovery and normalcy. It is an health issue that many are not aware of and might not have proper information on. But for most patients, the removal of the thymus by thymectomy is generally the approach to recovery. While open surgery was the norm in the past, robotic thymectomy is now changing the way this operation is done. With its advantages of smaller cuts, quicker recovery, and improved accuracy, robotic thymectomy is revolutionising the treatment for thymoma and myasthenia gravis and here’s how.
Understanding Thymectomy: Why Is It Necessary?
A thymectomy is a surgical operation to remove the thymus gland, most commonly done for two reasons:
Thymoma (Thymus Tumors): Thymomas are either benign or malignant. But even a benign thymoma can lead to complications with its growth, causing compression on vital organs such as the heart, lungs or surrounding blood vessels.
Myasthenia Gravis (MG): A long-term autoimmune disease, it causes muscle weakness by damaging the nerve-to-muscle communication. Surgical removal of the thymus can reverse this damage and reduce the weakness in the muscles.
Generally, thymectomy is advised for younger patients with MG and for anyone with a thymoma, as early removal of the gland will avoid future complications.
What's the Difference between Traditional and Robotic Thymectomy?
Traditional thymectomy requires:
Open Surgery
A big cut in the chest (sternotomy).
Opening of the breastbone is opened to access the thymus.
Longer hospitalisation and greater risk of complications.
Longer periods of pain and recovery.
Although successful, open surgery is very invasive and carries large risks.
Robotic-Assisted Thymectomy offers:
Small incisions with the aid of robotic arms for greater precision.
Elimination of the requirement to spread the ribs, meaning less discomfort and very little scarring.
Quicker recovery.
Lower risk of infections and complications.
Robotic surgery enables surgeons to remove the thymus gland with greater precision, resulting in improved patient outcomes.
What makes Robotic Thymectomy the Best Option?
The following factors make robotic thymectomy a preferred option over the traditional because robotic thymectomy offers a lesser degree of invasion than open surgery as it is done using small incisions. This leads to reduced trauma, quicker recovery and reduced time in the hospital. Additionally, its enhanced accuracy means a lower risk of complications. Accuracy is vital due to the positioning of the thymus to organs such as the heart as well as the blood vessels. Robotic thymectomy offers high-definition visualisation in 3D, thus giving the surgeon better clarity for the surgery and reducing potential damage to the surrounding organs. For MG patients, this surgery means fewer drugs after surgery. Robotic thymectomy patients usually have a hospital discharge within 1-2 days, as opposed to a week or more of hospitalisation from open surgery.
Less post-op pain allows the patient to be back at work and in everyday activities sooner.
Robotic thymectomy is suitable for young MG patients as well as individuals who have thymomas that are either small or medium-sized and want a minimally invasive treatment with reduced risk.
Who is a Candidate for Robotic Thymectomy?
Robotic thymectomy is a great alternative for patients who:
- Have non-surgical (early-stage) thymomas requiring removal.
- Have myasthenia gravis and require thymus removal to reduce symptoms.
- Are looking for a minimally invasive option that offers reduced discomfort and quicker recovery after surgery.
While this surgery is applicable for early-stage patients, for patients having larger thymomas or when their tumour has advanced beyond the thymus, a more comprehensive surgical procedure might be necessary.
What Is Done In The Surgery?
Before Surgery
- Imaging scans (MRI or CT) and blood tests for confirmation of diagnosis and surgical fitness.
- Certain MG patients will need pre-surgical medications to stabilise muscle function prior to surgery.
During Surgery
- Done under general anaesthesia.
- 3-4 small cuts are made between the ribs, eliminating the requirement to open the breastbone.
- The surgeon operates the robotic arms from a console, utilising high-definition imaging for accurate removal of the thymus.
Post-Surgery
- Hospital stay of 1-2 days for observation and recuperation.
- Light activity is recommended for 1-2 weeks, avoiding heavy lifting.
- 2-3 weeks are required for recovery, significantly less than open surgery's 6-8 week recovery period.
- Patients with MG can notice improvement of symptoms after several weeks to months of surgery.
What After Robotic Thymectomy?
Once the thymectomy has taken place, thymoma patients need to:
Do regular follow-ups and imaging studies to check on recovery and to make sure no recurrence.
Whereas myasthenia gravis patients need to:
Check their muscle strength on a daily basis. An improvement in the muscle strength means reduced medication.
For both patients, they will experience little pain with minimal scarring. Additionally, they’ll be able to adapt to their regular routine quickly. This indicates that the long-term prognosis is very good for both thymoma and MG patients with robotic-assisted thymectomy.
A New Era in the Treatment of Thymoma & Myasthenia Gravis
For individuals with thymoma or myasthenia gravis, robotic-assisted thymectomy provides a more effective, quicker, and safer surgical option. With less pain, smaller cuts, and shorter recovery periods, robotic surgery is transforming thymus removal and enhancing patient results.
Thangam Robotic Institute (TRI) in Tamil Nadu offers its expertise in robotic thymectomy. They ensure their treatment offers accuracy, safety, and quick recovery for patients. If you or a loved one is looking to undergo thymus removal, get in touch with the specialists at TRI to discuss the most suitable alternatives for your condition.