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Review
. 2014 Mar;6(3):196-201.
doi: 10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2013.12.19.

Resurgence of therapeutically destitute tuberculosis: amalgamation of old and newer techniques

Ravindra Kumar Dewan  1 , Loven Moodley  1
Affiliations
Review

Resurgence of therapeutically destitute tuberculosis: amalgamation of old and newer techniques

Ravindra Kumar Dewan et al. J Thorac Dis. 2014 Mar.

Abstract

Most of thoracic surgery developed as a result of efforts to treat tuberculosis (TB). The role of surgical therapy has declined but the role of surgery in TB still remains in situations like diagnostic difficulties, persistent sputum positive state despite therapy and complications and sequel like haemoptysis, destroyed or bronchiectatic lungs or empyema with or without broncho-pleural fistula (BPF). Various procedures have a role according to the indication. Some of the procedures have become obsolete but lobectomy, pneumonectomy, thoracoplasty, decortication and open window thoracostomy continue to be relevant. Recent published series have demonstrated mortality ranging from 0% to 3.1%. Surgery for complications and sequel of pulmonary TB still remain an important intervention for alleviation of human misery.

Keywords: Thoracic surgery; decortication; pneumonectomy; surgery; thoracoplasty; tuberculosis (TB); window thoracostomy.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Post-operative X-ray of a patient who has undergone thoracoplasty for persistent sputum positive status.
Figure 2
Figure 2
X-ray chest of a patient of aspergilloma in right upper lobe.
Figure 3
Figure 3
A case of tubercular empyema. Even after appropriate decortication, the lung fails to fully re-expand to fill the pleural space. This case is hence suited for an attending thoracoplasty.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Fully healed pleuro-cutaneous window, eight months after the procedure.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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