Pulmonary Resection in Childhood Tuberculosis

A brief review of endobronchial tuberculosis is given as its incomplete healing will provide most of the cases needing resection in childhood. The operative mortality is low and the end results good. Resection is indicated when permanent damage ensues after endobronchial tuberculosis in both acute and chronic cases. In the former, the persistence of positive sputa from the diseased area, persistent cough or "wheezing," and when bronchoscopic evidence shows lack of healing and bronchiectasis indicate operation. Secondary infection in the diseased area makes operation imperative. In chronic disease, pneumonic episodes involving the collapsed area, recurrence of positive sputum, failure to reverse the ectasia and poor general health indicative of hidden infection warrant removal of the affected area. [See FIGURE 6 in source pdf].