Best Doctors in India for Thymectomy
- Cardiac Surgeon, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Vascular Surgeon; Chennai, India
- Over 37 years’ experience
Profile Highlights:
- LF Sridhar is a well-known Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgeon in Chennai, now working at Apollo Hospital in Greams Road, Chennai, and has an experience of 37 years in this arena.
- Some of the services available with the doctor are Mitral/Heart Valve Replacement, Cardiac Pacing, and Intra – Arterial Thrombolysis, Pacemaker Implantation, and bypass surgery besides the regular OPD procedures.
- Cardiac Surgeon, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Vascular Surgeon, Chennai, India
- Over 25 years’ experience
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. K Madhan Kumar is a well-known Cardiac Surgeon in Tamil Nadu, having many years of experience in the domain.
- His experience came from practice and teaching. These days, he is associated with Apollo Hospital Greams Road in Chennai as a Senior Consultant Cardiothoracic & Transplant Surgeon.
- Dr. Kumar has also completed Fellowships in Cardiothoracic Surgery at SGH in London as well as ECMO, VAD, and transplantation at HH in London.
- Surgical Oncologist, Gurugram, India
- Over 20 years’ experience
Profile Highlights:
- With 20+ years of experience, Dr. Niranjan Naik is one of the reputable names in the field of oncology and has performed more than 12000 onco-surgical operations so far, including many advanced and complex onco-surgical operations.
- Dr. Naik is generally considered one of the best Breast Cancer surgeons in India. He is also well versed in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures.
- Cardio Thoracic & Vascular Surgeon, New Delhi, India
- Over 30 years’ experience
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Ajay Kaul is a leading name in the field of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery in India with over 3 decades of experience.
- He specializes in Coronary Bypass surgery and is one of the best with the highest number of total arterial coronary bypass surgery (4000+) by using two internal mammary arteries from the chest and without any cuts on arms and legs.
- He is also an expert in minimally invasive cardiac surgeries (MICS) and has performed more than 4000 MICS which is the highest by any cardiac surgeon in India.
- Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Vascular Surgeon, New Delhi, India
- Over 42 years’ experience
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Anoop K Ganjoo is one of the best cardiologists & cardiothoracic surgeons in India with a total experience of 42 years.
- Dr. Ganjoo has a rich experience of over two decades in several complicated procedures, like Mitral valve repair and replacement, Peripheral and Coronary angiography & angioplasty, vascular surgery, ICD, diffuse coronary artery disease, Pacemaker, Radiofrequency ablation of arrhythmias, adult Cardiothoracic Surgery, CRT implantation, Balloon valvuloplasty, and PDA device closure.
- Thoracic Onco Surgeon, New Delhi, India
- Over 30 years’ experience
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Sabyasachi Bal specializes in Thoracic Onco surgery and provides treatment for lung cancer, chest cancer, and other types of thoracic malignancies.
- He has over 30 years of experience in the field and has reformed thoracic cancer surgery in India. He has also added Robotic Thoracic Surgery to his list of specializations.
- Dr. Sabyasachi Bal’s primary focus lies in the management and treatment of cancers affecting the thoracic regions and organs near the lungs and chest of both adolescents and adults.
- Cardio Thoracic & Vascular Surgeon, Mumbai, India
- Over 30 years’ experience
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Anvay Mulay is a well-known cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon in Mumbai and one of the best heart transplant surgeons in India.
- He holds an extensive experience of close to 3 decades and has been associated with renowned cardiac hospitals in India, US, and UK.
- Dr. Mulay is one of the top surgeons for Adult cardiac procedures in India. He was the first to introduce LVAD in West and Central India when he performed the surgery on a 49-year-old patient.
- Surgical Oncologist, Dwarka, New Delhi, India
- Over 20 years’ experience
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Durgatosh Pandey is a renowned Surgical Oncologist.
- He has over 20 years of experience in surgical oncology in top cancer institutes in India.
- He was the Director of Surgical Oncology at Artemis Hospital, Gurugram.
- Currently, he is the Head of Oncology Sciences & Consultant – Surgical Oncology at Manipal Hospitals, Dwarka, New Delhi.
- Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgeon, Hyderabad, India
- Over 30 years’ experience
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. G Rama Subramanyam is a well-known cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon who specializes in open-heart surgery and has performed more than 5000 such procedures since 1997.
- He is also an expert in Minimally Invasive Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting and heart valve surgeries that includes over 200 Ischemic mitral valve repair surgeries and 100 myxomatous and Rheumatic mitral valve repair surgeries.
- Heart Lung Transplant Surgeon, Chennai, India
- Over 40 years’ experience
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. K R Balakrishnan is a highly coveted cardiac surgeon in India and is probably one of the best heart transplant surgeons in the country.
- He has performed the largest number of heart transplants in the country including 180+ heart transplants, 23 lung transplants, and 9 heart & lung transplant procedures. He performed the first permanent artificial heart transplant in India with HeartMate II LVAD.
- Dr. K R Balakrishnan has over 40 years of experience in the field and has the expertise to perform cardiac surgeries on patients of all ages. He has performed over 16000 cardiac surgeries for various types of heart diseases and disorders till date.
Best Hospitals in India for Thymectomy
Fortis Escorts Hospital, New Delhi
- City: New Delhi, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Over the last 33 years, the Fortis Escorts Heart Institute has set new standards in cardiac treatment with groundbreaking research. It is now known around the world as a centre of expertise for Cardiac Bypass Surgery, Interventional Cardiology, Non-invasive Cardiology, Paediatric Cardiology, and Paediatric Cardiac Surgery.
- The hospital has cutting-edge laboratories that perform a wide range of diagnostic tests in Nuclear Medicine, Radiology, Biochemistry, Haematology, Transfusion Medicine, and Microbiology.
- Fortis Escorts Heart Institute boasts a diverse group of bright and experienced doctors who are backed up by a team of highly qualified, experienced, and devoted support professionals as well as cutting-edge equipment such as the recently installed Dual CT Scan.
- Approximately 200 cardiac doctors and 1600 personnel currently collaborate to manage over 14,500 admissions and 7,200 emergency situations each year. The hospital now has a 310-bed infrastructure, as well as five cath labs and a slew of other world-class amenities.
Rela Hospital, Chennai
- City: Chennai, India
Hospital Highlights:
- RIMC is a multi-specialty hospital in a sprawling area of 36 acres located in Chromepet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
- The facility has 450 beds including 130 critical care beds, 9 operating rooms, modern reference laboratories and radiology services, and is conveniently located near road, rail and air transportation.
- RIMC is led and managed by world-renowned physicians committed to healthcare.
- RIMC offers the broadest range of clinical care, education, and research. The hospital offers state-of-the-art technology and modern treatment facilities designed to provide health care at an affordable cost.
- Rela Institute is driven by patient needs, comfort and confidence.
CARE Hospitals, Hyderabad
- City: Hyderabad, India
Hospital Highlights:
- CARE Hospitals were established in the year 2000, by CARE Group.
- The multispecialty hospital has 435 beds, including 120 critical care beds, with an annual inflow of 180000 outpatients and 16,000 in-patients.
- The hospital provides specialty medical services in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Nephrology, and Urology.
- The hospital has the first dual source, 128 slice CT scanner (for high precision cardiac imaging) – the first of its kind in south India.
- The hospital offers a wide range of accommodation facilities for the convenience of its varied patient base, ranging from general wards to super deluxe rooms.
Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Mumbai
- City: Mumbai, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Fortis Hiranandani hospital was established in 2007.
- The hospital is an advanced tertiary care, multi-specialty hospital equipped with 149 beds.
- The hospital is equipped with a super ICU to provide emergency medical care to critically ill patients.
- The hospital is NABH accredited.
- The critical care facility in the hospital is augmented with the state-of-the-art facilities that facilitate speedier diagnosis and efficient monitoring.
- The hospital provides specialty medical services in cardiology, orthopedic science, pediatric science, neurology, diabetic care, urology, nephrology, ENT, obstetrics, gynecology, cosmetic surgery, bariatric surgery, neuro and spine care.
Fortis Hospital, Anandpur, Kolkata
- City: Kolkata, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Fortis Hospital, Anandapur, Kolkata is a world-class super-speciality equipped with the latest technologies in the medical world.
- The hospital is NABH accredited.
- This state-of-the-art facility specializes in cardiology and cardiac surgery, urology, nephrology, neurosciences, orthopaedics, digestive care, emergency care and critical care.
- The hospital, governed by integrated Building Management System (IBMS), has a pneumatic chute system, for quick vertical and horizontal transportation between floors, facilitating speedy transfer of patient specimens, documents, reports, and medicines to the concerned departments.
- The hospital also has a nephrology department with over 28 advanced dialysis units.
Fortis Hospital Banerghatta, Bengaluru
- City: Bengaluru, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta, Bengaluru was established in 2006.
- The hospital is a 276 bedded multi-specialty tertiary care facility.
- The hospital specializes in cutting-edge medical technology and dedicated patient care services.
- The hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies like trans-radial angioplasty, trans-abdominal cardiac surgery, and computerized TKR navigation surgery.
- The hospital provides specialty medical services in cardiology, cardiac surgery, orthopedics, neurology, neuro-surgery, GI, and Minimal Access Surgery (MAS).
Fortis Hospital, Malar, Chennai
- City: Chennai, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Fortis Malar was established in 1992 and was formerly known as Malar Hospital.
- The hospital specializes in cutting-edge medical technology and dedicated patient care services.
- The hospital is multi-specialty, tertiary care facility with 180 beds.
- The hospital offers comprehensive medical care in specialties such as cardiology, cardio-thoracic surgery, neurology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, nephrology, gynecology, gastroenterology, urology, pediatrics, and diabetes.
Gleneagles Global Hospital, Parel, Mumbai
- City: Mumbai, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Gleneagles Global Hospital The 450-bed facility comprises of 17-stories, housing state-of-the-art infrastructure, and advanced medical care facilities.
- The hospital offers end-to-end clinical, surgical, and diagnostic services. It is equipped with a team of eminent medical professionals aided by qualified nurses and medical staff
- The Hospital offers advanced Endoscopic procedures, Hepatobiliary and Liver Surgeries, Surgical and Medical Gastroenterology, Bariatric Surgery, and Robotic surgery.
- The hospital is a center of excellence for Orthopedics, Joint Replacement, Knee Replacement, and Hip Replacement surgery.
Jaypee Hospital, Noida
- City: Noida, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Jaypee Hospital is the flagship hospital of the Jaypee Group.
- This hospital has commissioned 525 beds in the first phase and has been planned and designed as a 1200 bedded multi-specialty facility.
- It holds the accreditation of the NABH and NABL.
- The hospital has state-of-the-art infrastructure equipped with the latest technologies and modern equipment like 64 Slice PET CT, Dual Head 6 Slice SPECT CT, Gamma Camera, and Da Vinci Robotic Surgery for comprehensive robotic surgical solutions.
- It has special Centers dedicated to the major specialties to provide hassle-free and high-quality clinical care.
Manipal Hospital, Dwarka, Delhi
- City: New Delhi, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Manipal Hospitals, Dwarka, is a super-specialty hospital in Dwarka, New Delhi, which is a part of Manipal Hospitals Group.
- The hospital aims to provide the best treatment on par with international standards at a fraction of the cost.
- Equipped with 380 beds, the hospital is also one of the new age hospitals which are equipped fully with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge technology as well as the latest and advanced clinical practices. The hospital also has 13 modular Operation theatres with 118 beds which are solely meant for critical care.
- The hospital comprises internationally acclaimed doctors and highly professional and experienced hospital and medical staff who are able to provide preventive, therapeutic, and diagnostic services all under one roof.
Thymectomy
Thymectomy is a surgery for removing the thymus gland, which is located in the upper portion of the chest, behind your breastbone. The benefits of this procedure may not be experienced immediately after the procedure, which is why the patient will need to continue their medical regimen.
A thymus gland has been shown to play an important role in the development of myasthenia gravis. Removing the thymus is generally recommended for people over 60 years of years, who experience moderate to severe weakness from myasthenia gravis.
Purpose
The thymus gland can help in immune cell growth. It is generally active when you are an infant, but its function reduces as your age increases. The thymus acts abnormally when a person suffers from a condition known as myasthenia gravis. To treat this condition, thymectomy is sometimes considered.
This procedure is also considered if the thymus has a tumor, which is termed as thymoma. These tumors are generally associated with myasthenia gravis but might also be associated with other conditions.
The treatment can help to reduce the weakness of the patient, reduce the use of medications, or even achieve permanent remission of the disease.
Preparation
Prior to your procedure, your doctor might require a few tests which might include:
- X-rays
- Blood tests
- Urine tests
- Breathing tests
- Muscle strength tests
A special diet might be required which can include withholding foods and fluids prior to the surgery.
It is important to take the prescribed medications as your doctor recommends.
Arrange to have someone drive you as well as pick you up from the hospital or surgery center. You might also need to arrange for someone to help you at home, after the procedure.
Procedure
The procedure can be performed using several different surgical techniques which include:
Transsternal thymectomy
In transsternal thymectomy, the incision is made in your skin over the breastbone and the breastbone is divided to expose the thymus. This approach is also generally used for heart surgery. The surgeon then removes the thymus through this incision. He/she might remove any residual fat as well in the center of the chest which may be harboring extra thymic cells.
Transcervical thymectomy
In transcervical thymectomy, the surgeon creates the incision across the lower part of your neck, slightly above the breastbone. The surgeon will remove your thymus using this incision without dividing the sternum. This is mostly used in patients who are without thymoma with certain body-types.
Robotic thymectomy and Video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy (VATS)
Robotic thymectomy and Video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy (VATS) are minimally invasive techniques that use multiple tiny incisions in the chest. A camera is first inserted through one of the incisions and the surgery is performed with the guidance of the video. The surgeon then removes the thymus with the help of special surgical tools inserted into the other incisions. In a robotic-assisted procedure, the surgeon makes the use of robotic arms for performing the surgery. Their goal is to provide the same result as the more invasive transsternal approach with less post-operative discomfort as well as quicker recovery.
Generally, the transsternal approach is generally the most common approach for this surgery. Even though the methods may vary, the goal of the surgery always remains the same, i.e. removal of the thymus for the best possible outcome. While some surgeons are of the opinion that removal of the fatty tissue adjoining the thymus is best, others claim that the removal of the thymus alone is sufficient.
You can discuss the surgical approaches with your doctor to determine which method is the best suitable for you.
Recovery
Depending on the type of surgery as well as the condition of the patient, in some cases, a ventilator might be required after the surgery. Once the breathing tube has been removed, the patient will need to breathe deeply as well as cough repeatedly to clear the lungs of any mucus.
The patient might require one or two chest tubes, i.e. small tubes in the chest attached to drainage bottles, which will be removed shortly after surgery.
With the transcervical or VATS thymectomy, pain is generally mild, but it can be a bit more with the trans-sternal approach. However, the pain is temporary and can be controlled through the use of pain medications. The pain should resolve in less than a week.
How long you will need to stay at the hospital can depend on the surgical approach that was used and your overall health. Sometimes patients can be discharged in a few days to a week.
Keep away from your regular routine for a while, depending on your condition, the type of surgery that was done, as well as the nature of your work. On average, it is important to limit activities for around three to six weeks.
You will need to contact your doctor if you see your recovery not progressing properly, as expected as you develop complications, such as:
- Signs of infection, which includes fever and chills
- Redness, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or any discharge from the incision site
- Uncontrollable pain with the medications that you received
- Cough or difficulty breathing or chest pain
- Pain or swelling in your feet
- Pain or burning or other complications while urination
- Nausea and vomiting which continues to persist
Risks and complications
Though complications are rare, generally the risks of this procedure include:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Nerve injury
- Lung injury