[A case of extirpation of the extrapleural plombs]

A 75-year-old male, who had undergone left extrapleural plombage for left pulmonary tuberculosis 46 years before, was admitted because of cough and sputum. The Chest X-ray and CT-scan films on admission show fluid collection in plombs. Left postero-lateral thoractomy was performed on January 14, 1994. There were thickness of the parietal pleura and no findings of empyema or fistulas. Extrapleural plombs and partial part of the vegetation were removed safely. There were two damaged plombs and fluid collection in another two plombs. No findings of residual tuberculosis were found on postoperative pathological and bacteriological examinations. He has been well for 8 months postoperatively.