Thymectomy
 

Hi all,

Just wondered of those of you who have had a thymectomy what your recovery period was like?
Discussions so far are looking likely I'll be having mine when my baby is approx 12 weeks old and I'll have my chest opened up fully for it-can't mind the medical name for this procedure.

Heather,

Which thymectomy procedure will they be preforming? It sounds like your are describing the Full Sternotomy approach. This is the most invasive procedure. Did your doctor tell you why one of the other approaches, ones that are less invasive, is not being considered? You might consider a second opinion if your doctor insists on one of the more invasive approaches.

The good news is that younger people have a better chance of remission after a thymectomy.

Here is a link to the options:

Surgical Thymectomy Approaches.

The least invasive is the transcervical approach. Patients who have had a transcervical thymectomy usually have a 1 to 3 day hospital stay and a week or two of recovery, if thing go well.

I sure hope you have some help with the baby during this period.

-Mark-

[QUOTE=Panorama;1059426]Heather,

Which thymectomy procedure will they be preforming? Here is a link to the options:

Surgical Thymectomy Treatments.

The least invasive is the transcervical approach. Patients who have had a transcervical thymectomy usually have a 1 to 3 day hospital stay and a week or two of recovery, if thing go well.

I sure hope you have some help with the baby during this period.

-Mark-[/QUO

Initial indications are a sternotomy not sure which it will be full or partial yet still to have clinical meeting with cardiothorasics and oncologists!

Study the issues between the approaches before your meeting. Ask for specific reason why the less invasive approaches are not being considered. Recovery for a Full Sternotomy could be three months. For something this important I would not hesitate to get a second opinion.

-Mark-

P. S.: I sent an avatar image via Private Message. Did you get it?

{{I agree with Panorama.}} I hope your Doctor is very clear about why she is recommending the most invasive surgery option for removing your thymus.

I still need my Doctor to explain the basic differences between all thymectomy surgeries offered in my country, and the pros and cons of each type of surgery available.

Good luck moving forward! Please keep us updated on what your Doctor has to say. I am currently looking into the pros and cons of 'thymectomy without thymoma.'

I had the full sternotomy and was hospitalized for about 5 days - mostly in ICU because of breathing issues. I returned to work 8 weeks after surgery - It has been 9 years since my surgery and they were just starting to do the transcervical thymectomy for mg. It wasn't very painful after the first week, but I didn't have an 8 week old child either. Good luck whichever way you go.

I just had a VATS thymectomy last month and was out of the hospital 5 days after the operation. I had some weakness after the surgery and needed an IVIg treatment, which extended my stay by a few days.

Overall, the pain was minimal with this procedure. The chest tubes were a little uncomfortable, but they came out the day after surgery without any pain.

I was mostly back to "normal" a few weeks after the surgery.

My research found there is no evidence that one method is superior, so I'd opt for a less invasion procedure if I was you.

The MG Manual states a reason for the more invasive approach:

Surgical approaches will differ among surgeons. For many, the preferred surgical approach is transthoracic; the sternum is split, which allows wide exploration of the anterior mediastinum. Transcervical and endoscopic approaches have less postoperative morbidity but do not allow sufficient exposure for total thymic removal and are not recommended when there is a thymoma.

Myasthenia Gravis: A Manual for the Health Care Provider (PDF) - page 18

It looks like if the surgeon needs to ensure through removal, the more invasive approach is indicated.

-Mark-

[QUOTE=Panorama;1060687]The MG Manual states a reason for the more invasive approach:

Surgical approaches will differ among surgeons. For many, the preferred surgical approach is transthoracic; the sternum is split, which allows wide exploration of the anterior mediastinum. Transcervical and endoscopic approaches have less postoperative morbidity but do not allow sufficient exposure for total thymic removal and are not recommended when there is a thymoma.

Myasthenia Gravis: A Manual for the Health Care Provider (PDF) - page 18

It looks like if the surgeon needs to ensure through removal, the more invasive approach is indicated.

-Mark-[/QUOTE

Hi all,
So I saw my surgeon today! Very nice man he was too! Basically he's going for the most invasive approach to ensure the tumour comes out nice and clean! I will see him again 4 weeks after giving birth to start the ball rolling and see how my condition is then.
Next I will meet my anaesthetist to talk that through more thoroughly as the operation is very routine according to my surgeon he takes the thymus gland out everytime he does heart surgery opening the sternum so he's very confident in performing the op itself.
Thank you all for your comments and input it's really appreciated xx

Thank you for Sharing! These posts are so educational for people who are newly diagnosed and afraid :grouphug:

please keep us updated on how you are doing:-)

What a great idea to remove the thymus every time he does heart surgery! Much like removing the appendix every time abdominal surgery is performed.

My surgeon certainly doesn't do that - I was the first thymectomy he did

Maybe it would be a preemptive strike against mg - you never know!

Juanita

Personally, I'd run from anyone who wants to saw open my chest.

And I did, in fact, as that guy was an aged quack. I found a better surgeon, one who does many laproscopic procedures, and had a thoracoscopic thoracotomy in Fall of 2008. Chest tube is a bit painful - if anyone ever asks you if you want epidural pain control, for the love of god say YES! I was out in 3 or 4 days and back walking/hiking almost immediately. I think I took about a week away or maybe a bit more, but I was in grad school back then and time was more flexible.

I haven't been to a neuro in a long time and I don't think I've taken any mestinon in over 6 months, so it sounds like I am pretty lucky, even if it doesn't always feel that way. First post, btw. Hi.

Thanks for all your replies I will keep you up to date with what the outcome of each of my meetings with surgeons/anaesthetists are as requested I'm only too happy to share if it can give reassurance to others in a similar boat! :-)
I'm not looking forward to my chest being opened but I don't have the option to run from it.
It was explained very clearly to me as to the reasons for this approach versus any other. Yes it's going to be painful and pretty horrid but I am willing to trust my specialists regarding the necessity of it especially as they have been so amazing thus far and worked at such speed with me.
I am seeing one anaesthetist this month regarding the delivery of my baby in June so it's one step at a time!

Hi guys.
So as promised an update on seeing my anaesthetist in preparation for giving birth. I have been advised to allow the labour to progress as normal ie I don't need to go rushing in at the first sign of a contraction as long as I'm feeling ok. When i arrive it's been recommended I have an way epidural once I'm in established labour so at about 4cm dilation. However if I'm feeling strong I can continue a bit further before I have one-it's going to depend on how I feel. All my notes for plans are now complete and knowing there will be neurology, obstetrics, paediatric neurology as well as an anaesthetist all on standby from when I give the heads up I'm on my way in to deliver I feel so much happier-roll on 6weeks time :-) xx