Abstract
The lung washings were obtained from 25 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis before and after operation. Surface tensions were measured on Wilhelmy balance and stability indexes were calculated. The relationships between the surface activity of washings and the results of the lung function tests performed at the same time were studied.
The surface activity of washings obtained after surgery was identical to that obtained before surgery regardless the loss of lung tissue.
After surgery minimal surface tension of washings inversely related with %VC and forced expiratory volume/predicted vital capacity ratio (FEV1.0/ VCFred.). The stability index also correlated with %VC and FEV1.0/VCFred. These relationships were not found before surgery.
The surface activity of washings were not correlated with %MVV both before and after operation.
These findings suggested that surgical procedure for pulmonary tuberculosis may change the metabolic activity of the affected lung
