Thymectomy: Understanding the Process and Recovery
Thymectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the thymus, commonly performed to treat myasthenia gravis or thymoma. It can be done through different techniques, including transsternal, transcervical, or video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy. Before the surgery, a physical exam and medical history are taken, and imaging may be required. The procedure itself takes two to three hours, and recovery typically involves an overnight hospital stay. Follow-up appointments are necessary to adjust medications and monitor the healing process. Thymectomy does not affect the immune system in adults, as the thymus is no longer needed for immune system function.