Revisiting the evolution of tuberculosis therapy: historical reflections in the modern era

Management of tuberculosis (TB) has witnessed several changes over the past decades. While medical management is now the mainstay of therapy, surgical intervention was once the only treatment option physicians had to offer. We discuss some historical surgical procedures and take a quick glance at the evolution of TB therapy. We note the importance of adequate history-taking and the implications of what seemingly obsolete techniques may have in contemporary practice. We also highlight the re-emergence of surgical options in the modern era with the rise of multidrug-resistance.