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83
An analysis of the results of artificial pneumathorax treatment
has been made. All the patients who have had this treatment and
in whom the A.P. has been abandoned because the underlying lung
disease was considered to be healed have been followed since 1936.
Year A.P.
Abandoned
Well and
Working
Required Later
Thoracoplasty.
Now well and
working.
Alive
Disease
still active.
Died
Total
No. of
Cases.
1936 5 2 — —
1937 0 1 — —
1938 2 2 — —
1939 3 35 — 6 — 3 — 4 48
1940 6 1 — 1
1941 8 — 2 2
1942 12 — 1 1
1943 4 — — 2
1944 6 — — 6
1945 9 34 2 2 2 4 5 14 54
1946 6 — 2 2
1947 9 — — —
Total for
12 years.
69
8
7
18
= 102
cases.
A case of pulmonary tuberculosis is not considered to be rerecovered
for 5 years from the time the disease becomes quiescent.
In this series of figures therefore the cases followed between 1936
and 1942 are of interest as the 35 A.P. patients and the 6 thoracoplasty
cases have now been crossed off the register as recovered,
giving a recovery rate for A.P. cases of 73% and a mortality of
6% after 5 years.
During the 10-year period 1938-1947, 38 patients had the
major operation of thoracoplasty performed. The object of this
operation is to give permanent relaxation to a diseased area of
lung and so allow it to heal.
In the whole series the recovery rate was 76.3%, with an overall
mortality from all causes—both immediate and remote—of 18.4%
The remaining 5.3% (2 cases), although not cured, have remained
well since 1938.