Wednesday, May 13, 2015
A rise in the use of thymectomies for management of auto immune related thymic cancers has spurred an increase in the use of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
“Thymoma and thymic cancer are usually identified incidentally in patients with an associated autoimmune disorder such as myasthenia gravis, where an estimated 15 percent of patients are reported to have thymomas,” says Kalpaj Parekh, UI thoracic surgeon. “For patients with small or well-encapsulated tumors, VATS is an effective, but much less invasive approach. ”
In most patients, VATS offers significant benefits, including:
- Less post-operative pain and fewer narcotics
- Fewer complications
- Shorter ICU and hospital stays
- Less scarring
- Quicker return to work and activities of daily living
“Successful utilization of VATS requires careful patient selection, extensive training, and an experienced surgical team,” says Dr. Parekh. “University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is the only center in eastern Iowa that perform VATS for thymectomies because we have these key components.”
The UI Thoracic Surgery Program also provides a full range of advanced surgical options for benign and malignant diseases of the lung, esophagus, chest wall, pleural diseases, COPD, and thoracic outlet syndrome, in addition to lung transplantation.
For more information about VATS utilization in thymectomies or to refer a patient for evaluation to either Dr. Parekh or Dr. Keech, please call: 319-353-6420.