Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease in which antibodies attack the junction between nerve and muscle, causing weakness that worsens with effort in the limbs, eyelids or the muscles of swallowing and breathing. The thymus gland in the middle of the chest plays a role in the disease and may contain a tumour (thymoma). Removing it used to require splitting the whole breastbone; today it is done robotically through three small ports in the side of the chest.
Common symptoms
- Drooping eyelid and double vision that worsen towards the end of the day
- Arm and leg weakness that improves with rest
- Difficulty swallowing, chewing or speaking
- Breathlessness in advanced cases
- An anterior mediastinal mass found on imaging
When is surgery an option?
Thymectomy is advised for patients with generalised myasthenia — especially younger patients early in the disease — in coordination with the neurologist, and for every patient with a thymic tumour regardless of symptoms. Robotic removal reduces pain and hospital stay and leaves almost invisible scars compared with a sternotomy.
Treatment options
- Joint assessment with the neurologist and pre-operative optimisation
- Robotic thymectomy with removal of the surrounding mediastinal fat
- Robotic resection of thymoma and anterior mediastinal tumours
- Follow-up of symptom improvement and medication reduction after surgery
Frequently asked questions
Does thymectomy cure myasthenia gravis?
It markedly improves symptoms in many patients and reduces their need for medication; some reach complete remission, but improvement is gradual and can take months.
Book your appointment in Jeddah
Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital – Jeddah (Main Branch) · Monday & Thursday, 5:00 – 8:00 PM