Preresectional Thoracoplasty in Unilateral Extensive Lung Resection in Pulmonary Tuberculosis

¹ Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine

Thirty-four patients with preresectional thoracoplasty prior to extensive pulmonary resection for tuberculosis are presented. Most of them had far-advanced pulmonary tuberculosis with unilateral cavities. Postresectional complications occurred in 3 or 8.8 per cent of cases with no mortality. All were discharged with negative sputum or gastric cultures, except for one with bilateral disease, who returned to his native country and is doing well. Preresectional thoracoplasty in the chronically ill patients with an increased surgical risk is recommended prior to extensive resection. Specific indications are listed.