There are many procedures which treat pulmonary tuberculosis. pneumoperitoneum of those which was begun by Banyai in 1934 is considered effective collapse therapy economically and sciocially in Korea.
The author had studied 30 patients receiving pneumoperitoneum and/or chemotherapy who were moderatedly advanced pulmonary tuberculosis with positive sputum to AFB stain between Apr. 1, 1976 and Oct. 1, 1976.
An attempt is to clarify the effects of pneumoperitoneum with chemotherapy (A group: 20 patients) in contrast with chemotherapy alone (B group: 10 patients) for 6 months. The results obtained were as follows:
1) All both groups showed the diminished pulmonary cavity size, but the effect of A group is prominant as 74% rather than 39% of B group.
2) Sputum conversion ratio is 55% in A group, and 20% in B group.
3) In Korea, the moderate amount of air is 1500cc in men, 1000cc in women.
4) Although pneumoperitoneum is in old hands, it is a relatively safe procedure, well tole-rated, free from serious complications.
5) The advantages of pneumoperitoneum are evident in the treatment of bilateral lesion, with or without cavity, not too far advanced.
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