THE SURGICAL TREATMENT OF BRONCHIECTASIS

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Abstract
Existing methods of treating bronchiectasis are far from satisfactory. In general, the radical methods are associated with a high mortality, and the less radical ones accomplish little. Improvements will come probably through accumulated experience. With the view of adding to the total of recorded experience, three cases are here presented. Various measures which have been used are: (1) pneumotomy, with an attempt to drain a cavity; (2) thoracoplasty; (3) ligation of branches of the pulmonary artery, a method suggested by Sauerbruch1 to produce shrinkage of the affected portion of the lung; (4) artificial pneumothorax; (5) partial pneumectomy. It is evident that three general principles underlie all of the methods of treatment enumerated above. These are drainage, compression or shrinkage, and excision. Some cases which are associated with a foreign body in the lung will show great improvement after its removal, especially if it is lodged in one of the

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