Abstract: ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of complete debridement in chest wall tuberculosis. MethodsWe analyzed 168 patients with chest wall tuberculosis hospitalized in the fifth people’s hospital of Puyang from September 2001 to January 2008. Of 168 patients, 90 patients received complete debridement and 78 patients received traditional focal debridement. Operation time, postoperative hospital days and postoperative complications were compared between two groups. ResultsIn the complete debridement group, the operation time and postoperative hospital days were 75.00±28.52 minutes and 12.66±4.46 day respectively. There were 4 patients with subcutaneous effusion at operation incision, 3 with delayed healing because of incision infection, no patient without healing, and 2 with relapse at original incision in the complete debridement group. However, the operation time and postoperative hospital days were 72.31±25.20 minutes and 14.16±5.41 day respectively in traditional operation group. And there were 12 patients with subcutaneous effusion at incision and 9 with delayed healing due to incision infection and 4 with unhealed incision and 1 with relapse at original incision. ConclusionsThe rate of postoperative complications and postoperatvie relapse of patients with complete debridement are lower than those of patients with traditional operation. Complete debridement is value to be applied for the clinic.

Key words: tuberculosis,pleural/surgery, tuberculosis, pulmonary/surgery, thoracic wall