Surgical resection in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB)

[Xander]

What are the possible complications of surgical resection in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB)?

[Tanja]

@xander Surgical resection
Surgical resection of an infected lung may be considered to reduce the bacillary burden in patients with MDR-TB. Surgery is recommended for patients with MDR-TB whose prognosis with medical treatment is poor. Surgery can be performed with a low mortality rate (< 3%), with prolonged periods of a chemotherapeutic regimen used for more than 1 year after surgery.

Procedures include segmentectomy (rarely used), lobectomy, and pneumonectomy. Pleurectomies for thick pleural peel are rarely indicated.
Intraoperative infection of uninvolved lung tissue has been observed in resections. Complications include the usual perioperative complications, recurrent disease, and bronchopleural fistulas.