Title:Plombage: A Forgotten Surgical Treatment for Pulmonary Tuberculosis
VOLUME: 13 ISSUE: 2
Author(s):Abhay Vakil, Chinthaka P. Bulathsinghala, Sheila J. Zanoria and Salim Surani*
Affiliation:Bay Area Medical Center, Corpus Christi, Texas, University of North Texas, Corpus Christi, Texas, Bay Area Medical Center, Corpus Christi, Texas, Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi, Texas
Keywords:Lung mass, plombage, pulmonary TB, surgery, tuberculosis, weight loss.
Abstract:Background: For several years, surgical therapies have been the mainstay for treatment of
pulmonary tuberculosis. However, due to higher complication rates and the advent of potent antituberculosis
(anti-TB) medications, the use of surgical therapies has declined. With the increase in the
incidence of drug-resistant tuberculosis and failure to achieve satisfactory cure rates with anti-TB
medications, surgical treatment might be resurging.
Case Report: We recently encountered a patient who had a successful plombage therapy for the
treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. Thereby, different surgical approaches and supporting evidence
for their role in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in recent years has been reviewed.
Conclusion: Clinicians need to be aware of this therapy, when encountering plombage on the routine
x-ray chest.
