Cost as a Factor in the Selection of Patients for Operation in Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Dietrick, R.B.; Lee, Moon Ho

doi:1963.0.16.32

Tuberc Respir Dis > Issue 16; 1963 > Article

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 1963;16:32-33.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.1963.16.1.32 Published online December 1, 1963.

Cost as a Factor in the Selection of Patients for Operation in Pulmonary Tuberculosis

R.B. Dietrick, Moon Ho Lee

Graham Memorial Hospital Surgical Department, Gwangju, Korea

Abstract

When either thoracoplasty or excisional lung surgery are acceptable according to good criteria, the choice of operation may depend upon the cost. At the Graham Memorial Hospital 44 patients have had either thoracoplasty or excisional lung surgery in the past two years. Twenty-three patients had thoracoplasties, and 21 patients had excisional lung surgery for pulmonary tuberculosis. Analysis of these patients records shows that excisional lung surgery is definitely less expensive. This is due to the fact that only one operation is required, as compared to two operations for the average thoracoplasty, and because the hospital stay is much shorter of patients undergoing excisional lung surgery. Therefore, when other factors do not dictate the choice of operation, the authors recommend excisional lung surgery because of the lesser cost to the patient and the institution.