Surgical treatment of a tuberculous abscess of the chest wall.
BACKGROUND
Tuberculous abscess of the chest wall is a very rare disease. Few articles have reported on it and those that have enrolled few patients. To determine the characteristics of this disease and to suggest an optimal treatment strategy, we reviewed patients treated by surgical management.


METHODS
Between October 1981 and December 2009, 68 patients treated by surgical management for a tuberculous abscess of the chest wall were reviewed retrospectively.


RESULTS
Of 33 men and 35 women, 31 patients had a current or previous history of tuberculosis. The main complaints were chest pain, a palpable mass, pus discharge, and coughing. A preoperative bacteriologic diagnosis was performed in 12 patients. Abscess excision was performed in 54 cases, abscess cavity excision and partial rib resection in 13, and abscess excision and partial sternum and clavicle excision in 1 case. Postoperative wound infection was noted in 16 patients and a secondary operation was performed in 1 patient. Recurrence occurred in 5 patients (7.35%). Reoperation with abscess excision and partial rib resection was performed in all of the 5 cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Complete excision of the abscess and primary closure of the wound with obliteration of space would decrease postoperative complications. Anti-tuberculosis medication may reduce the chance of recurrence.
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Korea.
Dong-Yoon
DY
Keum
Jae-Bum
JB
Kim
Chang-Kwon
CK
Park