The role of surgery in tuberculous pericarditis

To define the role of surgery in the treatment of tuberculous pericarditis, 62 consecutive patients treated for this condition were reviewed. Medical therapy alone achieved satisfactory results in less than one-third of the patients. One-half of the patients eventually required pericardiectomy for symptoms of recurrent cardiac tamponade or evidence of constriction. A favorable response to medical therapy alone could not be predicted. The results of surgery were excellent if operation was performed prior to constriction. In our opinion, all reasonable-risk patients with tuberculous pericarditis would benefit by prompt surgical intervention following institution of chemotherapy.