Many people wonder what the risks of thymus gland removal are. Therefore, in this article, we will shed light on the most prominent of these damages.
The thymus gland is an important part of the immune system, so what are the harms of removing the thymus gland? The complete response is provided below:
Disadvantages of thymectomy
The following damages are generally caused by thymectomy, depending on the patient's health and capacity to withstand the procedure:
- Wound infections.
- severe bleeding
- Pneumonia.
- Limited activity for a certain period after the procedure.
- Phrenic nerve palsy , any damage to the nerves that run in the chest.
- Removing part or all of the lung in some people, which causes shortness of breath in chronic bronchitis and emphysema when doing activities after surgery.
Complications of thymectomy
Smoking, drinking alcohol, being obese, and having diabetes are just a few of the factors that can affect the removal of the thymus gland and, in some cases, increase the risk of the following complications:
- Anesthesia problems, such as: sore throat or wheezing.
- severe infection
- Damage to structures adjacent to the thymus gland.
- respiratory failure.
Benefits of thymectomy
After discussing the harms caused by thymectomy, it should be noted that the procedure's advantages gradually manifest after the procedure, making it a long-term fix, and they include the following:
- Significant improvement in complications resulting from thymus gland problems.
- Reducing the need to take some types of medications in the long term.
Information about thymectomy
Here is the most important information about the thymectomy:
- Thymectomy techniques
There are several techniques used to remove the thymus gland, including:
1. Transsternal resection
Those who have a thymus gland tumour frequently undergo this procedure. Through this procedure, a small incision is made in the skin over the sternum, after which the sternum is divided to reveal the thymus gland.
The thymus gland and any leftover fat in the centre of the chest containing thymus cells can then be removed by the surgeon.
2. Transcutaneous resection of the neck
In this procedure, the thymus is removed without having to divide the sternum from patients who do not have a thymus gland tumour. A small incision is made in the lower part of the neck, just above the sternum.
3. Video excision
With less pain and a quicker recovery time, this procedure aims to achieve the same results as earlier procedures. Several small incisions are made in the chest, after which a camera is inserted into one of the incisions and a video-assisted excision is performed, in which the doctor removes the thymus gland using surgical tools He inserts it into the other cracks.
- Patients who need to remove the thymus gland
It is recommended that the thymus gland be removed 6-12 months after the onset of symptoms on the patient, as it is more effective. The doctor might advise a thymectomy in a number of circumstances, including:
- People with thymus problems.
- who are under 60 years old.
- Those with mild to moderate muscle weakness due to myasthenia gravis .
It is important to note that patients with myasthenia gravis that only affects vision do not have the thymus gland removed.