mine was for preventive measure in 1975 thats what they knew to do for mg, and my thymus was clear at that time of any thynoma ,and when i was in the hospital in 1996 for respitory infection they took xrays to see if i had any left over thymus glad from 1975 but all was clear..

Mine was done for thymoma and I was lucky enough to have mine done robotically (only 3 small one inch scars on the side of my right breast). I sympathize with those of you who have a more visible and lengthy scar.

When my doctor said I might have to have a thymectomy, I did some research. I read one doctor's paper on why I shouldn't get the robotic removal of the thymus. He said the only benefit would be for cosmetic reason. He noted the major risk is removing the thymoma by a robotic hand and causing it to rupture (releasing cancerous cells) or not getting all of the (surrounding) tissue. He wrote that opening up the chest cavity is the best way in order for the surgeons to get the complete picture.

So, you can imagine my relief, when I was told I didn't need a thymectomy. However, I wonder sometimes whether that was the right call.

I think a lot of doctors are reluctant to jump on the robotic "bandwagon" especially if that technology is not in the local hospitals, etc.

The cardio/thoracic surgeon who did mine is the Director for the Robotics program at one of the leading hospitals in Cincinnati. Now there are some limitations as to size of thymoma, etc. that will prohibit robotic removal of the thymus. He said that they can actually see better this way since there is less blood in the chest cavity and the field is magnified many times for them to precisely to see and detach the thymus & thymoma. He did tell me that once the surgery was underway that he might have to revert to a transternal procedure depending on what he saw.

I'm comfortable with the decision I made.