An account of treatment of tuberculous cavities by thoracoplasty with special reference to the use of postural reduction as a pre-operative measure

Abstract

Summaryo(1)Management of thoracoplasties in an Institution starting on this new venture is described.(2)Postural bed rest has been stressed as a very useful method of preparing patients for thoracoplasty.(3)Postural bed rest combined with antibiotics accelerates cavity reduction and can turn unsuitable cases in to cases suitable for thoracoplasty.(4)Main points in the post-operative cases are described.(5)Of 50 thoracoplasties completed, there was I fatality, I which had to be abandoned after the second stage, and 4 whose sputum remained T.B. positive. The other 44 cases. i.c. 88 per cent, are regarded as complete successes. Management of thoracoplasties in an Institution starting on this new venture is described. Postural bed rest has been stressed as a very useful method of preparing patients for thoracoplasty. Postural bed rest combined with antibiotics accelerates cavity reduction and can turn unsuitable cases in to cases suitable for thoracoplasty. Main points in the post-operative cases are described. Of 50 thoracoplasties completed, there was I fatality, I which had to be abandoned after the second stage, and 4 whose sputum remained T.B. positive. The other 44 cases. i.c. 88 per cent, are regarded as complete successes.