The thymus is a gland located in the front of the chest, just behind the breastbone and in front of the heart, in an area known as the mediastinum. Nowadays, thymectomy - surgery to remove the thymus gland - has taken precedence. It is part of the body's immune system and plays a major role in a child's early development. Currently, thymectomy, thymus removal surgery, has been a mainstay in the treatment of myasthenia gravis, although there is still no conclusive evidence about its benefits for myasthenic patients.

Surgical removal of the thymus has no effect on the immune system after birth. In patients with myasthenia gravis and for whom a thymectomy is recommended, the aim is to remove the source of abnormal antibody production that causes the disease.

The benefits of thymectomy for a myasthenic may be:

  Reduce the patient’s weakness
  Reduce the use of medications
  Achieve permanent disease remission