Surgical treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in children and adolescents

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the operable forms of pulmonary tuberculosis, structure of surgical interventions, and effectiveness of surgical treatment in children and adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed surgical treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in 423 children and adolescents between 2012 and 2023. Low-traumatic invasive surgical methods were a part of comprehensive treatment including antituberculous therapy. RESULTS: Segmental (including anatomical) lung resections were performed in 39.9% of cases, resection of intrathoracic lymph nodes - 21.3%, peripheral lymph node dissection - 2.6%, large-volume resections - 19.6% (including pneumonectomy - 1.7%, lobectomy - 8.5%, combined resections - 9.5%), pleurectomies - 13.9%. Stage-by-stage surgical treatment was performed in 5.5% of patients. Postoperative complications occurred after 1.9% of surgical procedures. All complications were successfully eliminated, there were no fatal outcomes, and effectiveness of comprehensive treatment was 100%. CONCLUSION: Timely surgical treatment combined with antituberculous chemotherapy can enhance the effectiveness of treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis in children and adolescents.