Artificial Pneumoperitoneum for Tuberculous Cavities of the Lung

Chung, Wu Jin

doi:1956.0.3.128

Tuberc Respir Dis > Issue 3; 1956 > Article

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 1956;3:128-138.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.1956.3.1.128 Published online December 1, 1956.

Artificial Pneumoperitoneum for Tuberculous Cavities of the Lung

Wu Jin Chung

National TB center Seoul, Korea

결핵성폐공동에 대한 인공기복의 치효

정우진

Abstract

67 cases of tuberculous cavities treated by pneumoperitoneum during the past 28 months were presented. It is found that, unless the lesion was old productive type, the majority of cavities respended favorably to sustained pneumoperitoneum. It is felt that in Korea where there are limited facilities for pulmonary surgery, those cavities should be treated with pneumoperitoneum as early as possible regardless of the location of the cavities. These cases reported were all treated on outpatient basis and consepuently without bed rest. The first case was a truck-driver who continued to carry out his daily work to the extent of developing an inguinal hernia. In this case the cavity disappeared completely and from this it is apparant that, unless the lesion is a serious exudative type, it is possible to attain satisfactory results without bed rest. This experience covers only the past two years and, consequently，it is impossible to deduce the long term results from this study.