[Respiratory consequences of thoracopulmonary surgical operations in children and adolescents]

Spirographic investigations were carried out in a lot of 125 children and adolescents with surgical exeresis or collapse, performed between 1965 and 1972 for suppurations, tuberculosis and other thoraco-pulmonary diseases. Spirographic determinations before and 1--2 months after surgery showed that the postoperative sequelae were milder in children than in adults. Recovery of the ventilation function was more complete than that of the pulmonary circulation. The necessity of a correct postoperative care and systematic, prolonged respiratory kinesitherapy is emphasized.