Robotic surgery in Turin, first removal of Thymus performed

Turin - First surgical removal of the Thymus with robotic technology, at the Thorax Surgery department of the Molinette Hospital in Turin. The robotic Thymectomy in thoracoscopy for Miastenia Gravis was carried out with the DaVinci Xi robotic system by the team of professors Alberto Oliaro and Enrico Ruffini and doctors Paris Lyberis and Francesco Guerrera."The thymus, a gland located between the heart and the sternum, was removed from a 50-year old Miastenia Gravis patient", explained professor Oliaro. "Miastenia Gravis is a neurological disease caused by the malfunctioning of the thymus gland, and is sometimes associated with a tumor of the thymus (thymoma). The patient exhibited dyspnea (altered respiration) even when resting, bilateral ptosis (lowering) of the eyelid and generalized asthenia (fatigue)".Compared to traditional operations, this minimally invasive surgery significantly reduces the risk of hemorrhage and other complications, particularly post-surgery pain, guaranteeing a rapid recovery (the patient was discharged after just two days) and minimal aesthetic impact. In the past, this surgery was performed with traditional surgical access, such as partial or total incision of the sternum, and therefore faced greater risk of complications as well as longer and more painful post-surgery hospitalization.The innovative surgery was presented at the eighth International Meeting of the ITMIG (International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group), held in the conference center of Turin's Lingotto district.