Abstract: Objective The outcome of chemotherapy treatment in treating multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis(MDR-TB) is not satisfied,thus the study is to explore the feasibility of surgery combined with chemotherapy in treating MDR-TB.Methods A retrospective review was performed in 48 MDR-TB patients who had surgery combined with chemotherapy from April,1995 to March,2005.36 patients(75%) had cavitary lesions,16 patients(33.3%)had bilateral lesions.All patients received pulmonary resection,consisting of lobectomy(n=28),pneumonectomy(n=15),pleuropneumonectomy(n=3),segmentectomy(n=1),wedge resection(1).Results Mortality was 2.1%(n=1) after surgery.Postoperative complications occurred in 8 patients(16.7%).The follow up was ranged from 6 to 90 months.Sputum conversion rate was 83.3%.Conclusion Pulmonary resection combined with chemotherapy achieves high cure rates with acceptable morbidity and mortality.

Key words: Tuberculosis/surgery, Multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis.