Here's a link to a PDF file for thymectomy via the DaVinci robotic method.

http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/pat...thymectomy.pdf

Not sure where you are in GA but my dr just referred me to Dr. William Mayfield in Marietta since he does the thymus removal laproscopically with only two small incisions and no full chest surgery. I got diagnosed with M/G this summer also. Good luck. I am personally going to try to get them to repeat a scan in a few months and re-evaluate since my symptoms aren't really that severe as of yet and it is only slightly bigger than should be.

[Hello,

I m a new member (i ve joined this great community this month) as well and I ve been sharing the same worries as you regarding the thymectomy . I have an elarged thymus (but they didnt give me enough details about the size they said 4 gr which must be wrong ) and doctors cant say if it is or not thymoma, but they want me to have the surgery.

I asked for a copy of the scan as advised on this site and i m waiting for the copy to come, not sure how long it will take, but than I should be able to see more.

I m scared of the surgery, not sure if it is going to work for me or not.
However, I was recommended the least invasive operation (transcervical approach) but it does have its limitations and the doctor wants to revert to a full strenotomy in the event of a big problem identified down there !

I was thinking that if I go for the surgery I will go for the transcervical approach and than if problems appaer to go for the robotical one Da Vinci (the second invasive in the list?!) but that s just an idea, not sure if I can choose what i want .

That is my last idea, but i m still reluctant to the thought of having my thymus removed.

hope that the appointment with your doc went well

I see you are in the UK, so not sure how things work there. Not all cardio-thoracic surgeons are trained to do the surgery robotically (DaVinci is a brand of robotic equipment). Also, not all hospitals have the equipment. I just had my thymectomy in December 2009 and it was done robotically. I specifically chose a surgeon & hospital that could do it this way. I did have a thymoma -- 4cm in size, so surgery was not an option for me. I just have 3 small incisions (less than 1 inch each) over and to the side of my right breast. No stitches, just tape over them for about a week or so. No pain at all after the drainage tube was removed the day after surgery.

I don't believe my thymus was enlarged, but the pathology report showed that it weighed 60 grams and measured 11 x 7 x 1.0 cm thick.

Good luck with your decision.

thank you , is right the robot doesnt exist in many hospitals, it seems that I will have trouble finding a place and trained professionals.
its great to hear that your recovery was so good

Hey- Just sharing my experience here.

I was diagnosed with a singlefiber EMG August 1st. 2009. I then had a ct scan seeing if I had a thymoma, yet it didnt show anything. Even with that my neurologist thought that I would have a good turn out with a thymectomy, (full, not laprascopic, for it has better chances.) So i did this, i had the surgery maybe a month after he said this at UNC. Even though it was painful, I hope it was worth it.

If your going to have the surgery, why not go all for it, and do the sternotomy, for your getting it taken out anyway, may as well make sure it gets all out.

After going in, the surgeon realized i had a very large thymoma, 7-8cm. And none floating around.

Hope this helps!

Everything helps thank you .
how is your recovery? hope everything goes well for you.

The recovery from surgery was pretty easy, yet hard being in high school, having to miss a month and half. Yet it was a little painful, but hopefully worth it in the long run.

What are you leaning towards?

Im glad I could be of assistance.

I m leaning towards surgery, still not sure what and how , but I m very scared (to be honest)Especially now, when I m dealing with some new sympthoms-cheast pain (since I ve started the immunosupressants) You are very young and brave to put up with so much at such an young age.
I am 35 and i still find it extremly tough.

Hey newmg,

Welcome to the group! The dicision to have the surgery is a very scary one indeed. I had symptoms for almost 3 years before I was diagnosed in 01. My doctors wanted me to have it right away, but I waited just about a year and had a full sternal in Nov. 02. I started to see small improvements after about 2years, but it took 4 years to see the full benefits. Research as much as you can and ask lots of questions. Does your neuro know you are having chest pains? If not, you might want to call and let him/her know. They can be scary too. Take care and keep posting!

Hugs,
Pat