New modality of collapse therapy for pulmonary tuberculosis sequels: tissue expander

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Thoracic Surgery
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Classical collapse therapy for tuberculosis sequelae, using extrapleural Lucite balls, presents risks of long-term complications, notably foreign body migration.
• Residual tuberculous cavities pose challenges in treatment and management.

Observation:

• A new approach utilizing percutaneous tissue expanders for collapse therapy in tuberculosis cavitation was investigated.
• This method aims to mitigate the complications associated with traditional foreign body placement.

Findings:

• The use of percutaneous tissue expanders resulted in an uneventful postoperative course.
• Mid-term follow-up demonstrated functional improvement and no recurrence of tuberculosis infection.

Implications:

• This novel collapse therapy offers a potentially safer alternative for managing post-tuberculosis residual cavities.
• It may reduce long-term complications, including foreign body migration, and minimize physical and physiological sequelae.