[Proteolytic enzymes in the prevention and treatment of early ventilatory complications following lung resection in patients with tuberculosis].

The authors examined 259 patients with tuberculosis of the lungs before and after partial resection of the lungs. Proteolytic enzymes were administered endotracheally in the pre- and postoperative periods to 132 patients (main group), 127 patients (control group) received a placebo. Endotracheal administration of proteolytic enzymes in the main group reduced the number of early pleuropulmonary complications of the type of atelectasis and hypoventilation by half to one third and accelerated their resolution by 3-4 times as compared to these values in the control group. Fibrous changes and pleural adhesions on the side of the operation formed from the early pleuropulmonary complications more often in the control than in the main group. The function of external respiration was restored under the effect of the proteolytic enzymes in the control group 1-2 months after segmental and combined resection, in the control group it was restored 3-4 months and later after the operation.