الفهرس 
The Thymus Gland: Embryology, Anatomy, Immunology & Endocrine functionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Background: Surgical management of myasthenia gravis is well established and has proven high efficacy in addition to clinical management for improving clinical outcome. Different surgical approaches for thymectomy are feasible including cervicotomy, median sternotomy, manubriotomy (ministernotomy) & VATS. Each approach has its pros & cons regarding wound healing, operative time, the amount of blood lost during the operation, and the level of expertise necessary. Depending on the size of the excised thymus and its attachment to the surrounding structures, the best treatment for thymectomy varies from patient to patient.
Objectives: Comparing the clinical outcomes of traditional trans-sternal and video assisted thoracoscopic methods in thymomatous and non-thymomatous myasthenic patients as measured by the MGFA (Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America) score in thymomatous and non-thymomatous myasthenic patients.
Method: Clinical follow up of 2 equal groups of myasthenic patients undergoing thymectomy by trans-sternal (median sternotomy & manubriotomy) & VATS approaches.
Result: Trans-sternal thymectomy still have superior outcome to VATS as regard clinical improvement of myasthenic symptoms which may be attributed to better access, wider field & ability to perform extended radical thymectomy involving removal of the whole thymic tissue & surrounding fat.
Conclusion: selecting the surgical approach for thymectomy plays a crucial role in postoperative clinical improvement. Thymectomy through open trans-sternal access is still favored in large thymic masses for complete stable clinical remission (CSR).