How To: Remove the hyperplastic thymus gland with a thymectomy for myasthenia gravis

This surgery video shows you the full scoop on performing a thymectomy for myasthenia gravis, which is a medical condition that causes abnormal weakness of certain muscles. It's actually a rare disease marked by muscular weakness without atrophy, and caused by a defect in the action of acetylcholine at neuromuscular junctions.

The thymus gland in front of the heart is usually removed via a thymectomy when tumors surface, but it's also a very common surgery for patients with the myasthenia gravis neurologic disease. In the case of myasthenia gravis, the thymus begins to produce antibodies that interfere with the muscle's ability to contract. Those suffering from the disease may also have difficulty speaking, swallowing or chewing.

If you're a surgeon, this video should help you out with techniques of the procedure. If you're not a doctor, it's simply interesting to watch. It's detailed steps on removing the hyperplastic myasthenia thymus gland (commonly referred to as just hyperplastic thymus).