ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the role of thoracoscopy-assisted mini-incision in surgical treatment of lung tuberculosis.Methods From 1999 to 2004,pulmonary lobectomy was performed with thoracoscopy-assisted mini-incision(5-7 cm) on 42 patients with lung tuberculosis(right superior lobectomy in 16,right middle lobectomy in 4,right inferior lobectomy in 4,left superior lobectomy in 10,left lingular lobectomy in 4,and left inferior lobectomy in 4).Results None of the patients were converted to open surgery.The mean operation time was 105 min(35-170 min);blood loss ranged 100-800 ml(mean,150 ml).In the patients,thoracic drainage lasted for 1-5 d(mean,2.8 d) after the operation,and the hospital stay was 4-11 d(mean,6.7 d).During a 2-to 13-month follow-up(mean,8.2),no patient showed positive sputum,bronchopleural fistula,or diffusion of tuberculosis.Conclusions Since thoracoscopy-assisted mini-incision is assosiated with minimal tissue injury,few blood loss,quick postoperative recovery,short hospital stay,and few complications after the surgical treatment of lung tuberculosis,it is worth being widely used.For surgeons,it is important to remember the indications for the procedure.