Thoracotomy under local anaesthesia: personal experiences in 215 cases

The underlying pathophysiology and technic of thoracotomy with local anaesthesia for the surgical treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis and other intra- and extrapulmonary diseases is described. The immediate as well as the long term results in 187 patients with 215 operations were favourable. In view of these results the described method of thoracotomy with local anaesthesia is to be preferred to an incorrectly administered general anaesthesia. However, it is beyond any doubt that in the presence of qualified anaesthetists and adequate equipment thoracotomy with general anaesthesia is preferable to local anaesthesia. However, wherever the conditions for expert application of general anaesthesia are lacking and surgical treatment of lung diseases is necessary, thoracotomy with local anaesthesia is an acceptable and reliable substitute.