Thymectomy Cost in India | Myasthenia Gravis Surgery

Q: How is a thymectomy performed?

Transsternal thymectomy: In this procedure, the incision is made in the skin over the breastbone (sternum), and the breastbone is divided (sternotomy) to expose the thymus. This approach is commonly used for heart surgery.

Q: How long does a thymectomy surgery take?

The total incision is less than one inch. Cutting of the sternum and spreading of the ribs are not required. The procedure now takes about two hours and most patients go home in less than 24 hours.

Q: What happens if your thymus is removed?

The thymus is part of the body's immune system, and plays its largest role early in a person's development. Surgical removal of the thymus has no effect on the immune system for someone after they are born.

Q: What is the usual surgical treatment for myasthenia gravis?

If you have a tumor, called a thymoma, doctors will surgically remove your thymus gland (thymectomy). Even if you don't have a tumor in the thymus gland, removing the gland might improve your myasthenia gravis symptoms. However, the benefits of thymectomy can take years to develop.

Q: Can you live without a thymus gland?

A person without a thymus does not produce these T cells and, therefore, is at great risk for developing infections. By the time humans reach puberty, the thymus has completed most of its role in the body, shrinks in physical size and becomes dormant.

Q: What foods are good for the thymus gland?

Platefuls of vitamin C rich foods like dark leafy greens, Brussels sprouts, kiwi fruit, broccoli, berries and tomatoes protect the thymus gland, a vital immune system organ.

Q: What is the recovery time for a thymectomy?

They pass small flexible instruments through these cuts and then remove the thymus gland. Recovery from this surgery is quick and you are usually in hospital for 1-3 days.

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Surgery Name	Cost	Room	Hospitalization
Thymectomy Package	$2691	Single	Patient - 7 days stay in a single room.

✓ Inclusion

✔Thoracic surgeon and neurologist consultation
✔Pre-operative tests: blood work, ECG, chest X-ray, pulmonary function test
✔Thymectomy surgery (approach as per package)
✔Operation theatre, anaesthesia and surgical consumables
✔ICU monitoring after surgery as per package
✔7 days hospital stay in a single room with nursing care
✔Routine medicines, pain relief and IV fluids during stay
✔Chest drain care and post-operative chest X-rays
✔Histopathology of removed thymus
✔One follow-up consultation before flying
✔Free: airport pick-up & drop, visa invitation letter, interpreter & coordinator (Satyug Healthcare)

✗ Exclusion

✖IVIG or plasma exchange before or after surgery
✖Chest CT/MRI, PET-CT or biopsy before surgery
✖Robotic or VATS upgrade charges
✖Extra ICU days or ventilator support
✖Radiotherapy or chemotherapy for thymoma/thymic cancer
✖Blood products
✖Stay beyond 7 days
✖Hotel accommodation, food and local travel
✖Flights, visa fees and travel insurance

Know More About Procedure & Surgery

🇮🇳 THORACIC PACKAGE — INDIA

Thymectomy Surgery in India

Removal of the thymus gland to treat thymoma and to improve myasthenia gravis. Performed by experienced thoracic surgeons with neurologist support at accredited Indian hospitals, at a fraction of Western prices.

✅ Free Medical Opinion in 48–72 h🫁 Keyhole (VATS) & Robotic Options💰 Starting USD 2,691✈️ Visa & Airport Support🗣️ Interpreter Available

⏱️

2–4 hrs

Surgery time

🏥

7 days

Hospital stay

📈

~70–90%

MG improvement

📅

2–3 weeks

Total stay in India

📖 What is a Thymectomy?

The thymus is a small gland in the front of the chest, behind the breastbone and in front of the heart. It helps train the immune system in childhood and slowly shrinks in adults. In many people with myasthenia gravis (an autoimmune disease causing muscle weakness), the thymus is abnormal and helps produce the harmful antibodies. The thymus can also develop tumours called thymomas.

A thymectomy removes the whole thymus gland together with the surrounding fat in the front of the chest. It can be done through the breastbone (sternotomy), through small keyhole cuts on the side of the chest (VATS), with robotic assistance, or through a cut under the breastbone (subxiphoid). For thymoma it is the main cure; for myasthenia gravis it reduces symptoms and the need for medicines over time.

🖼️ Understand It in Pictures

💡 In simple words

The thymus is a small gland in the chest behind the breastbone. It may be removed (thymectomy) when it has a tumour (thymoma), or to help some people with myasthenia gravis, a condition that causes muscle weakness. It can often be done by keyhole or robotic surgery.

Thymus problem and treatment

Thymectomy: normal vs abnormal explained in pictures

👀 Symptoms in Pictures

Symptoms that may need Thymectomy - in pictures

🎬 The Treatment Journey in Pictures

📅 Recovery at a Glance

🩺 Conditions Treated

💪

Generalised myasthenia gravis

AChR antibody-positive patients aged about 18–65, to improve weakness and reduce steroids.

🎗️

Thymoma

Tumour of the thymus; surgery is the main treatment and often curative in early stages.

🔬

Thymic carcinoma

A rarer, more aggressive thymic cancer, often combined with radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

🫁

Anterior mediastinal mass

Unclear masses in the front of the chest that need removal and diagnosis.

🧫

Thymic cysts or hyperplasia

Enlarged or cystic thymus causing symptoms or uncertainty on scans.

👁️

Ocular myasthenia (selected)

Selected patients with eye-only myasthenia not controlled by medicines.

⚠️ Symptoms That May Need Evaluation

➤Drooping eyelids
➤Double vision
➤Weakness that worsens with activity
➤Difficulty chewing or swallowing

➤Slurred or nasal speech
➤Weak arms or legs
➤Shortness of breath
➤Chest pain or cough from a chest mass

💡 Not every myasthenia patient needs a thymectomy. Patients with MuSK or LRP4 antibody myasthenia, very mild disease or eye-only symptoms are often managed with medicines (pyridostigmine, steroids, immunosuppressants). Myasthenia must be well controlled before surgery, sometimes with IVIG or plasma exchange.

🔬 Tests Before Treatment

Test	Why it is done
CT or MRI of the chest	Shows the thymus and any thymoma, its size and invasion.
Acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody test	Confirms myasthenia gravis type.
Nerve conduction / repetitive nerve stimulation	Confirms myasthenia and its severity.
Pulmonary function test	Checks breathing strength before surgery.
PET-CT or biopsy (selected cases)	For suspected thymic cancer or unclear masses.
Blood tests, ECG & echo	Check fitness for anaesthesia.

🏥 The Procedure — Step by Step

Neurology optimisation

The neurologist makes sure myasthenia is stable; IVIG or plasma exchange may be given before surgery.

Admission

You are admitted, tests are reviewed and the anaesthetist plans myasthenia-safe anaesthesia.

General anaesthesia

You are fully asleep; muscle relaxants are used carefully.

Access to the chest

Through keyhole ports (VATS/robotic), a subxiphoid cut or a breastbone split depending on the case.

Thymus removal

The whole thymus and surrounding fat are removed, protecting the phrenic nerves.

Chest drain

A small tube drains air and fluid from the chest.

ICU monitoring

Breathing is closely watched for 24–48 hours because of myasthenia.

Recovery on ward

Drain removed, breathing exercises and walking; medicines adjusted.

Histopathology

The gland is examined to confirm the type and stage of any tumour.

Discharge

Discharge after about 7 days with a follow-up plan.

⚖️ Types & Techniques

Technique	What is done	Best for
Trans-sternal thymectomy	Breastbone split for full exposure	Large or invasive thymomas
VATS thymectomy	Keyhole surgery through 3 small cuts on the chest side	Myasthenia gravis and small thymomas
Robotic thymectomy	Robot-assisted keyhole surgery	Myasthenia and early thymoma at robotic centres
Subxiphoid thymectomy	Keyhole access under the breastbone	Selected myasthenia patients; good view of both sides

📊 The international MGTX trial (NEJM 2016) showed that thymectomy plus prednisone improved myasthenia scores and lowered the steroid dose needed over 3 years compared with prednisone alone in AChR-positive patients aged 18–65.

📅 Your Day-by-Day Plan in India

Day	What happens
Day 1	Arrival in India, airport pick-up and hotel check-in
Day 2–3	Thoracic surgeon and neurologist consultation, CT and fitness tests
Day 4	Admission and myasthenia optimisation
Day 5	Thymectomy surgery
Day 6–7	ICU monitoring and breathing support
Day 8–10	Ward care, drain removal and walking; discharge after 7 days in hospital
Day 11–16	Rest in hotel and wound checks
Day 17–18	Histopathology review and neurology follow-up
Day 19	Fit-to-fly – Fly home ✈️

🌱 Recovery After Treatment

🛏️

Week 1

Hospital stay, breathing exercises and walking.

🚶

Week 2

Short walks; mild chest discomfort managed with tablets.

✈️

Weeks 2–3

Fit to fly home after surgeon review.

💼

Weeks 2–4

Return to desk work after keyhole surgery (6–8 weeks after sternotomy).

🏋️

Weeks 6–8

Heavy lifting allowed after breastbone healing.

💊

6–24 months

Myasthenia gradually improves; medicines reduced by the neurologist.

🏆 Success Rate

Outcome	Result
MG improvement after thymectomy	About 70–90% over 1–3 years
Complete stable remission of MG	About 20–40% over several years
Early-stage thymoma complete removal	Over 95%
10-year survival, stage I–II thymoma	About 85–95%
Hospital mortality	Under 1%

Benefit in myasthenia builds slowly over months to years and is best in younger patients with AChR antibodies and shorter disease duration. For thymoma, complete removal of the tumour is the most important factor.

🩹 Risks & Possible Complications

Thymectomy is generally safe in experienced centres.

•Myasthenic crisis (breathing weakness) after surgery – about 5–10%, managed in ICU
•Chest pain and wound discomfort
•Fluid or air around the lung – uncommon
•Wound infection – about 1–3%
•Phrenic nerve injury (weak diaphragm) – rare
•Bleeding needing transfusion – rare

💰 Cost of Thymectomy in India

The cost of thymectomy in India starts from about USD 2,691. This covers the surgery, surgeon and anaesthesia fees, ICU monitoring and 7 days in a single room. The final cost depends on the approach (open, VATS or robotic), pre-operative IVIG or plasma exchange and ICU days.

Option / Hospital tier	Approx. cost (USD)	Hospital stay	Notes
Thymectomy (this package)	2,691	7 days, single room	Standard surgical approach
VATS (keyhole) thymectomy	4,000 – 5,500	4–6 days	Smaller cuts, faster recovery
Robotic thymectomy	6,500 – 8,500	3–5 days	Selected robotic centres
Extended thymectomy for invasive thymoma	5,000 – 7,000	7–10 days	May include nearby tissue removal

⚠️ Final cost depends on surgical approach, tumour size, need for IVIG or plasma exchange, ICU stay and complications. Quotes are confirmed after the specialist examines the patient in India.

Thymectomy cost comparison India USA UK Turkey

📋 What the Package Includes

✅ Included

✔Surgeon and anaesthesia fees
✔Operation theatre charges
✔ICU monitoring after surgery
✔7 days in a single room
✔Routine medicines and consumables
✔Standard lab tests and chest X-rays
✔Histopathology of thymus
✔Neurologist review

❌ Not Included

✖IVIG or plasma exchange
✖PET-CT or biopsy
✖Robotic surgery charges
✖Extra ICU days or ventilation
✖Radiotherapy or chemotherapy
✖Hotel stay after discharge
✖Flights and visa fees

✈️ Your Medical Travel Process with Satyug Healthcare

Medical travel journey to India for Thymectomy

Step	Details
1. Send reports	CT or MRI chest report and images, AChR or MuSK antibody results, nerve conduction/repetitive stimulation report, list of myasthenia medicines and doses, pulmonary function test and any biopsy report.
2. Free opinion & quotes	Within 48-72 hours you receive opinions and cost estimates from 3-5 leading hospitals to compare.
3. Choose hospital & doctor	We help you compare doctors, success rates, room options and total budget.
4. Medical visa	The hospital issues a Visa Invitation Letter (VIL) to the Indian Embassy. The patient and up to 2 attendants apply for an e-Medical / Medical Attendant visa.
5. Travel planning	Flight guidance, wheelchair assistance, airport pick-up, hotel or guest house near the hospital.
6. Treatment in India	Your coordinator and interpreter stay with you for admission, treatment, discharge and billing.
7. Return & follow-up	Fit-to-fly letter, medicines, and online follow-up with your doctor after you return home.

🎒 Travel Checklist

📌Valid passport (6+ months) for the patient and attendants, plus 10 passport-size photos each
📌Medical visa / e-visa and the hospital’s Visa Invitation Letter
📌All chest CT/MRI scans on CD / link, antibody reports, neurology notes and prescriptions
📌Yellow fever vaccination certificate (mandatory for travellers from African countries)
📌Polio vaccination certificate where applicable
📌Declare cash above USD 5,000 at the airport; hospitals accept wire transfer and cards
📌Foreigners staying longer than permitted must register with the FRRO — our team assists

⭐ Why Choose Satyug Healthcare?

🏥

Top Accredited Hospitals

Thoracic surgery centres such as Medanta Gurugram, Max Saket, Fortis Memorial Gurugram, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Delhi, BLK-Max Delhi, Apollo Chennai and Manipal Bengaluru.

👨‍⚕️

Senior Specialists

Operations are done by senior thoracic surgeons experienced in VATS and robotic chest surgery, working with neurologists who manage myasthenia.

💵

Transparent Pricing

Multiple written quotes to compare — no hidden charges, no extra fee for our service.

🤝

End-to-End Support

Visa, airport pick-up, accommodation, interpreter and 24/7 coordinator.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

➤ How much does thymectomy cost in India?

It starts from about USD 2,691 with 7 days in a single room. Keyhole (VATS) and robotic surgery cost more.

➤ How long will I stay in hospital?

The package includes 7 days, including ICU monitoring after surgery. Keyhole surgery patients often recover faster.

➤ How long should I stay in India?

About 2–3 weeks so that tests, surgery, recovery and the histopathology report can be completed before flying.

➤ Will thymectomy cure my myasthenia gravis?

Most patients (about 70–90%) improve and need fewer medicines, and about 20–40% reach complete remission. The benefit develops slowly over 1–3 years.

➤ Who benefits most?

Patients aged about 18–65 with generalised myasthenia and AChR antibodies, and everyone with a thymoma.

➤ Is keyhole surgery as effective as open surgery?

For myasthenia and small thymomas, VATS and robotic thymectomy give similar results with less pain and faster recovery.

➤ Is the surgery painful?

You are asleep during surgery. Chest pain afterwards is managed with strong pain relief and usually settles within 1–2 weeks.

➤ What is myasthenic crisis?

It is sudden breathing weakness that can happen after surgery in about 5–10% of patients. This is why you are watched in ICU and your myasthenia is optimised beforehand.

➤ Will I need to stop my medicines?

No. Continue your medicines unless your neurologist tells you otherwise. Doses are reduced gradually after surgery as you improve.

➤ Can children have thymectomy?

Yes, in selected children with myasthenia not controlled by medicines, after careful assessment by paediatric neurologists.

➤ When can I return to work?

After keyhole surgery about 2–4 weeks; after breastbone surgery about 6–8 weeks.

➤ How many attendants can come?

One or two attendants can accompany you; we provide medical visa invitation letters.

➤ What follow-up is needed at home?

Regular neurology follow-up to adjust medicines; thymoma patients need CT scans yearly for at least 10 years.

➤ Is an interpreter available?

Yes, Satyug Healthcare provides free interpreters for Arabic, French, Russian and other languages.

💬 Get a Free Opinion & Cost Estimate

Send your medical reports today and receive opinions from India’s top specialists within 48-72 hours.

📞 +91-8860606766 | +91-9910655125 | ✉️ query@satyughealthcare.com

Medical disclaimer: This page is for general information and does not replace a consultation with a qualified specialist. Treatment plans and costs are confirmed only after the patient is examined. Sources: NCBI StatPearls: Thymectomy; NCBI StatPearls: Myasthenia Gravis; Wolfe et al. NEJM 2016 (MGTX trial); International Consensus Guidance for Management of Myasthenia Gravis 2020 update; NCCN Thymomas and Thymic Carcinomas; Mayo Clinic; Cleveland Clinic. Infographics: Satyug Healthcare.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is a thymectomy performed?

Transsternal thymectomy: In this procedure, the incision is made in the skin over the breastbone (sternum), and the breastbone is divided (sternotomy) to expose the thymus. This approach is commonly used for heart surgery.