Surgical Treatment of Pulmonary Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections.

Adjuvant surgical resection in the setting of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection removes focal parenchymal disease thought to serve as a poorly perfused "reservoir" for organisms, thus resistant to standard antimicrobial therapy. Removal of these areas of damaged lung is felt to enhance the effectiveness of the medical treatment. In general, these operations are associated with low morbidity and mortality, although resections that are more extensive carry higher risk. Many of the planned operations may be performed with minimally invasive techniques. More data are needed regarding long-term outcomes in these patients.