RESUMO
Examination of lung sections from patients with residual posttuberculous cavities not discharging tubercle bacilli for long periods revealed latent bacterial lesions of cavern wall tissues and active specific processes in 73.6 and 92.1 per cent of the cases respectively. Bacteriological investigation of the resected lungs revealed no significant advantages of the tuberculostatic therapy with using rifadin at various stages for 2-4-month courses in comparison to the therapy without rifadin. The immediate results of the surgical treatment were indicative of its high efficiency; closing of destructive cavities, low numbers of postoperative complications which could be easily corrected. At late observation periods the surgical treatment provided more reliable rehabilitation.