- Yuji Shiraishi: Section of Chest Surgery, Fukujuji Hospital, JATA, 3-1-24, Matsuyama, Kiyose-shi, Tokyo 204-8522, Japan. yujishi@mvb.biglobe.ne.jp
Although the results of medical treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) has improved, adjuvant surgical treatment remains achieving better outcomes for MDR-TB patients. We have performed pulmonary resection for MDR-TB patients aggressively. Indications for surgery include (1) persistent positive sputum despite state-of-the-art chemotherapy and (2) a high risk of relapse. For 56 patients undergoing 61 pulmonary resections for MDR-TB between January 2000 and June 2007 at our institution, the overall cure rate was 98%. An aggressive treatment approach to MDR-TB continues to be justified until a panacea for this refractory disease is available.