Pulmonary gas transfer 20 years after pneumonectomy for pulmonary tuberculosis.

Abstract
Changes in pulmonary function after pneumonectomy in 13 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were studied. The data at the time of 2 follow-up studies are compared with those obtained before the pneumonectomy. The 1st follow-up was carried out between 5 and 30 mo. postoperatively and the 2nd between 20 and 24 yr later. The results of this 2nd follow-up show a relatively normal arterial O2 saturation and gas transfer factor but an increased residual volume which cannot be explained by increasing age alone.