Surgical treatment of bronchial obstruction in primary tuberculosis in children: report of seven cases.

Seven children, aged 4 months to 10 years, with bronchial compression due to tuberculous hilar lymphadenitis have been treated surgically since 1974. The indications for surgical treatment were lack of response to chemotherapy and in particular the development of respiratory distress. Excision or curettage of the affected nodes was found to be a safe and sure method of relieving the acute symptoms and preventing permanent damage to the lung.