Has anyone had this type of surgery for removal of thymus/thymoma?

I just got CT scan results yesterday indicating a 4cm growth on thymus. Meeting with neuro mid-Aguust. Not sure what he's going to recommend, but thought I'd check to see if anyone here has had removal via the DaVinci robotic assisted method. Sounds way less invasive. We have 2 hospitals in Cincinnati with the equipment.

Thanks.

I doubt there are many people who have had a thymectomy that way but it would be great - IF the people doing it are VERY experienced with that equipment! A machine is just a tool and doesn't make the surgeon using it any smarter or better. If you can find someone with lots of experience, that would be really cool to have a less invasive surgery.

Annie

Hey hon! I HAVE heard of the robotic surgery - and I've heard it is the best if you are able to have it done!

I wasn't able to do it, but hopefully you will!

Big hugs!
Erin

Hey Kathy,

I have heard of this type of surgery, but not for removal of the thymus. A less invasive surgery sounds great and worth looking into. Let us know what you find out. Take care.

Hugs,
Pat

Hi Kathy,
I found out a previous post on the subject which was quite positive on that technique:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...light=Da+Vinci
It is post #2.
Maurice.

Maurice, thanks for the link. I missed that one when I did a search. I'm hopeful if I have to have surgery it can be done that way. What can I say, I'm a baby. In my 56 years I've only had surgery for a deviated septum which was outpatient.

Hey Kathy! Trust me, you are NOT being a baby. Having a transsternal thymectomy is HUGE surgery - and hurts like heck! I have a VERY high pain tolerance, but it did hurt, so if there in another, less invasive, less painful way of doing it, then I would have done it as well.......

Other than that, how are you?

Big hugs!
Erin

Erin, thanks for your encouragement. I've only been on this board for a short time, but I am so honored to know you and your wonderful way of looking at life.

I've been on Pred and Mestinon for a little over a week now. My eye and eyelid are just about 100%. No other symptoms at this point. I'd really like to reduce the Pred so might call the neuro about that.

Have a great night!

I had this surgery 3/30/12 at Univ. of Florida Shands. Was lucky to find a wonderful surgeon who has done many of these and happy to have the much less invasive procedure. I was released after 4 days with zero pain or complications and tests say I am clear. So happy to not have chosen the chest type procedure.

Hey Kathy V-

I actually just did a paper on this (statistically). I had the trannsternal approach 3 years ago, and wish i would have gotten the opporunity to have the VATS.

In my research i found that the VATS is just as effective, but not if the growth is too large. So make sure that they take into account the size of the growth. I dont remember how big mine was, but it was large, so they said going with the transsternal was the best idea.



My paper explains this much better, if you want, post your email here and I will send you the paper and it explains the positive and negative repercussions of the surgery.

Good luck!