Recent surgical experience for pulmonary tuberculosis.

Lung resection for pulmonary tuberculosis is unusual today. Over a 10-year-period 31 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis underwent thoracotomy at this Regional Centre. Five of these were for complications of known tuberculosis; two subsequently proved to be complications of pulmonary tuberculosis, and the remainder were for suspected malignancy. The clinical features, radiology, microbiology, and pathology are reviewed and the contemporary role of the surgeon in the management of pulmonary tuberculosis is examined.