Radical thymectomy in Myasthenia Gravis through partial sternotomy approach: A report on three patients

Abstract

Myasthenia Gravis is one of the most common neuromuscular junction disorders caused by autoantibodies against acetylcholine receptors on the postsynaptic membrane. This leads to progressive weakness of muscles. Thymic hyperplasia is associated with myasthenia in 7 out of 10 patients, while thymoma is seen in 1 out of 10 patients. Several studies have published the advantage of performing a radical thymectomy in patients with thymic hyperplasia or thymoma to induce remission in patients with myasthenia gravis. The transsternal approach is the standard approach for performing radical thymectomy. Recently, minimally invasive approaches have been increasingly used to reduce the morbidity of performing a complete sternotomy. Robotic-assisted, video-assisted, and partial sternotomy approaches are the available options. In our study, we are explaining the technique and advantages of performing radical thymectomy through a partial sternotomy approach.