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A thymectomy is a surgical procedure used to remove the thymus gland. The thymus gland, which is located in the upper portion of the chest behind the breastbone or sternum, produces certain cells called T-cell lymphocytes, which are a vital part of the immune system. However, the thymus gland has been linked to the development of muscle weakness or Myasthenia gravis (MG), a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease marked by varying degrees of weakness of the voluntary muscles.