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Lung resection for tuberculosis in children.
Canadian Medical Association Journal
|December 29, 1962
Summary
Lung resection surgery for tuberculosis in children is uncommon but yields excellent outcomes. Young patients tolerate thoracic surgery well, with most survivors fully recovering from their tuberculosis treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Thoracic Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Lung resection for tuberculosis was performed in 1257 instances between 1944 and 1959.
- A subset of these operations, 44 in total, were conducted on 41 children aged 5 to 15 years.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the outcomes of pulmonary resection in pediatric patients undergoing surgery for tuberculosis.
- To assess the safety and efficacy of major thoracic surgery in children with this condition.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 44 pediatric lung resections for tuberculosis performed at the Nova Scotia Sanatorium.
- Analysis of surgical indications, complications, mortality, and long-term recovery.
Main Results:
- Pulmonary resection was infrequently required in children, with indications including "middle lobe syndrome" and reinfection tuberculosis.
- Two deaths occurred, one early postoperative and one late due to disease progression. Complications were observed in 20% of cases, mostly early and reversible.
- Of the 41 pediatric survivors, 38 fully recovered, and one improved, demonstrating excellent long-term results.
Conclusions:
- Pulmonary resection for tuberculosis in children, while infrequent, is associated with excellent outcomes.
- Pediatric patients tolerate major thoracic surgery well, with high rates of recovery and improvement.