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A large proportion of the cases were for advanced tuberculosis of the lung, with
cavity formation, which without surgery have a terribly high mortality. The contribution
of surgery is becoming more and more accepted by many authorities as
the most successful advance that has been made in the treatment of pulmonary
tuberculosis since sanatorium treatment was introduced, bringing hope where
pessimism has previously prevailed and with a degree of tolerance on the part of the
patient, having regard to the radical nature of the operative interference, that is
really remarkable, always providing the operation is expertly performed and graded
in stages to the strength of the individual patient.
The team of co-workers to whom the success of the establishment of the unit
is due is composed of Mr. Tudor Edwards, assisted by Mr. O'Shaughnessy, with Dr.
Machray as anaesthetist.
During the year eighty patients have been treated. In addition to special
examinations, such as intra-tracheal lipiodal injections, the following operations have
been performed: 2 lobectomies; 1 excision of mediastinal fibroma; 1 removal of
foreign body from chest; 1 penetrating injury of chest; 6 thoracotomies for pulmonary
abscess; 8 phrenic evulsions; 21 thoracoplasties; 2 pericarditis with
effusion; 12 chronic empyemas; 21 bronchoscopies; 4 cesophagoscopies; and 1
paravertebral block for angina pectoris.