Best Doctors in India for Thymectomy
- Chairperson Heart & Lungs Transplant, New Delhi, India
- Over 20 years’ experience
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Sushant Srivastava is a renowned cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon specializing in heart transplantation.
- He specializes in performing Beating Heart Bypass surgeries and is credited with performing the procedure on the oldest patient in India (96 years old). He also performed the first awake CABG in North India.
- He has taken up close to 10000 cardiac cases in his career and performed 3000+ cardiac surgeries related to Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG), redo coronary artery surgery, heart failure surgeries, heart valve surgeries, and various other types of cardiac surgeries.
- Cardiac Surgeon, Bengaluru, India
- Over 30 years’ experience
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Vivek Jawali is a renowned Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon in India and has performed more than 18,000 cardiothoracic and cardiovascular surgeries.
- He has several firsts to his credit that including the first beating heart bypass surgery in 1992 and the first Minimally Invasive Heart Bypass surgery in 1994 in India.
- He performed the first Awake Cardiac Surgery in 1999 which is done without general anesthesia or ventilator but under continuous high thoracic epidural. He also performed the first awake open heart surgery in the world without general anesthesia or ventilator on a 74-year-old patient for triple bypass with aortic valve replacement.
- Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Chennai, India
- Over 25 years’ experience
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. T Sundar is one of the best cardiothoracic surgeons in India.
- He is having extensive exposure to critical heart diseases and he has operated on them successfully.
- Dr. T Sundar is a Senior Consultant at Apollo Hospitals since 2003.
- He has been associated with international standards of surgery and diagnosis since his education period.
- Cardiac Surgeon, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Vascular Surgeon, Chennai, India
- Over 35 years’ experience
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Dillip Kumar Mishra is a well-known and experienced Cardiothoracic Surgeon in Chennai who has completed 35 years of specialized experience.
- The doctor gained experience working overseas in countries like Italy, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh-Dhaka, and India.
- The doctor offers the best services to the patients, some of the prominent services include Intra – Arterial Thrombolysis, Mitral/Heart Valve Replacement, Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, bypass surgery, Radial Approach Angiography Balloon Mitral Valvuloplasty, etc.
- Cardiac Surgeon, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Vascular Surgeon, Chennai, India
- Over 31 years’ experience
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Vijay Shankar S is a senior cardio-thoracic Surgeon in Chennai having experience of more than 30 years in Cardiac Surgery.
- Dr. Vijay Shankar was a fellow Coronary Artery Surgery and Congenital Heart Surgery at the University of Wisconsin, USA.
- He provides consultation and diagnostic services for Mitral/Heart Valve Replacement, Cardiac Pacing, Invasive Cardiology, ABPM, Balloon Mitral Valvuloplasty, CT Angiography, etc.
- Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiac Surgeon, Gurugram, India
- Over 32 years’ experience
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Vijay Kohli is one of the best cardiac surgeons in India. He has brought an evolution in the spectra of Cardiac Surgery, wherein, he was the first leading surgeon to perform CABG on a beating heart in Kathmandu, Nepal.
- Vijay Kohli performed the first coronary artery bypass surgery in Jammu Medical College in 2001.
Best Hospitals in India for Thymectomy
Paras Hospital, Gurugram
- City: Gurugram, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Paras hospital was established in 2006 and is the 250 bedded flagship hospital of Paras Healthcare.
- The is supported by a team of doctors of international and national repute.
- The hospital is NABH accredited and also the first hospital in the region to have a NABL accredited laboratory.
- The hospital provides specialty medical services in around 55 departments including Neurosciences, Joint Replacement, Mother & Child Care, Minimal Invasive Surgery, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, Cosmetic and Plastic surgery.
- The hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies.
S L Raheja Hospital, Mahim, Mumbai
- City: Mumbai, India
Hospital Highlights:
- SL Raheja hospital is a 140-bed multi-specialty tertiary care hospital that is being managed by Fortis Healthcare Ltd.
- The hospital is a benchmark in healthcare and medical facilities in the neighborhood of Mahim & the western suburbs.
- L.Raheja Hospital, Mahim has one of the most effective ICU and Casualty care services.
- The hospital provides specialty medical services in Cardiology, Oncology, Neurology, Orthopedics, Mother & Child Care, and in Diabetes.
Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai
- City: Mumbai, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Wockhardt Hospitals were established in the year 1973, originally called First Hospitals and Heart Institute.
- Wockhardt Hospitals are super specialty health care networks in India, nurtured by Wockhardt Ltd, India’s 5th largest Pharmaceutical and Healthcare company.
- Wockhardt Hospitals is associated with Partners Harvard Medical International, an international arm of Harvard Medical School, USA.
- Wockhardt Heart Hospital performed India’s first endoscopic heart surgery.
- The hospital has a state-of-the-art infrastructure equipped with the latest technologies and modern equipment.
- It has special Centers of Excellence dedicated to the major specialties to provide hassle-free and high-quality clinical care.
Pushpawati Singhania Hospital & Research Institute, New Delhi
- City: New Delhi, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Established in 1996, Pushpawati Singhania Research Institute is one of the top hospitals in the NCR region, as well as one of the top facilities in India for gastroenterology. The hospital is one of South Asia’s first institutes in medical and surgical treatment for diseases related to digestion.
- The hospital is equipped with state-of-the art facilities coupled with the latest equipment as well as renowned consultants from various parts of India as well as other parts of the world.
W Pratiksha Hospital, Gurgaon
- City: Gurugram, India
Hospital Highlights:
- W Pratiksha Hospital, Gurugram, is one of the best hospitals in the NCR region. It is also a top hospital in India for IVF. Since its inception, the hospital has performed over 5500 successful IVFs. The hospital also specializes in gynecology.
- With over 20 years of experience in providing quality healthcare, the hospital is known as one of the most trusted and valued health providers in India.
- Equipped with world-class medical facilities and advanced technology, the hospital’s doctors and clinicians also have a track record of delivering excellent results. The hospital is also known for focusing on preventive well-being as much as on curative treatment.
- The hospital has earned the trust of its patients, by providing the best available treatments at affordable costs.
Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Gurugram
- City: Gurugram, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Situated near DLF Cyber City, Gurugram, Narayana Superspecialty Hospital is one of the top medical facilities in the Delhi NCR region, catering to the needs of the people. Known for its commitment to quality medical care and patient service, the hospital is a state-of-the-art facility with planned and well-equipped sections, which includes a spacious OPD area as well as comfortable patient rooms.
- It is the closest super-specialty hospital from Indira Gandhi International Airport towards Gurugram, and also the nearest super specialty hospital from DLF Cyber City. It is also close to major residential areas in Gurugram.
- It is part of the renowned Narayana Health Group. Established in 2000, by Dr. Devi Shetty, a renowned cardiac surgeon, it has grown to be one fo India’s leading healthcare groups.
Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi
- City: New Delhi, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi is known to provide the latest medical procedures with the latest technology in all of its units.
- The hospital has a team of reputed doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals that ensure that patients receive quality care at affordable costs.
- Staffed with a team of highly qualified doctors, dedicated nurses, and paramedical and non-medical staff, the hospital aims to lead in healthcare delivery, medical education, training, and research.
- As per the vision of the founder, the hospital also provides free treatment to the economically weaker sections of society.
- Sir Ganga Ram Hospital also provides training to young doctors under the Diplomate in National Board(DNB) program. The DNB program at the hospital was started in 1984 and it is known for currently running the maximum number of DNB specialties in the country. It also has the distinction of having the first bone bank in India.
KIMS Hospital, Hyderabad
- City: Hyderabad, India
Hospital Highlights:
- KIMS Hospital (a brand name of Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences) is one of the largest and best multi-speciality hospitals in Hyderabad. The hospital provides various treatments to an enormous number of patients.
- The hospital has a capacity of more than 3000 beds. KIMS Hospitals offers different healthcare services in more than 25 specialities and super specialities.
- The hospital is equipped with modern medical equipment and technology. It has robotic equipment to provide minimal invasive techniques for patients.
- The hospital is aimed at providing world-class healthcare facilities and services at an affordable cost for patients.
- The various specialities and departments of the hospital include neurosciences, gastroenterology & hepatology, robotic science, reproductive sciences, dental science, oncological sciences, organ transplantation, heart and lung transplantation and mother and child care.
Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh
- City: New Delhi, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Fortis Hospital in Shalimar Bagh is a multi-super specialty hospital that strives to provide world-class patient care by leaving no stone unturned.
- Fortis, Shalimar Bagh, with 262 beds and a 7.34-acre footprint, provides the best level of medical care through its team of doctors, nurses, technicians, and management professionals.
Reliance Hospital, Mumbai
- City: Mumbai, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Reliance Hospital is one of the best super-specialty care hospitals in Navi Mumbai.
- The main purpose of this hospital is to become a trustworthy place for the best health and hope for society. The hospital is well connected to the suburbs of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.
- The hospital has various specialty departments, viz., Accident & Emergency, Anesthesiology, Dental Services, Dermatology, Diabetology, Dietetics Nutrition, Endocrinology, ENT, Gastroenterology, General Surgery, Gynaecology And Obstetrics, Hepato Pancreato Biliary Surgery, Infectious Disease, Internal Medicine, Interventional Radiology, Laboratory Medicine, Minimal Access Laparoscopic Surgery, Nephrology, Neurosciences, Opthalmology, Orthopaedics, Paediatrics, Pain Management Palliative Care, Physical Medicine Rehabilitation, Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery, Psychiatry, Pulmonary Medicine, Radiology, Rheumatology, Transplant, Urology Andrology, Vascular Surgery
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