The incidence of bronchiectasis has been drastically decreased with the advent of antibiotics in developed country, however, in our country, it- is still one of common diseases in thoracic surgical field.
The author reviewed 24 cases of bronchiectasis treated at the department of thoracic surgery, Chungnam National University Hospital from January, 1976 to August, 1982 and the following observations were obtained.
1. The peak age incidence of admission was third decade and approximately 62.5% of 24 cases occurred in patients less than 30 years of age.
2. In half cases, the etiologic factors were found as childhood pulmonary infections (37.5%) and pulmonary tuberculosis(12, 5%)
3. Bronchography revealed that in 71.4% of 21 cases the left lung was involved and in 95.2% of them the lower lobe was involved.
4. There was no operative death. The operative complications were 1 case of pneumonia and 3 cases of broncho-pulmonary fistula and/or empyema(20%). We followed up all operative cases at out patient department at least 3 months after discharge and they showed complete relief of symptoms in unilateral cases and marked improvement in bilateral cases.
|