Eight patients of joint tuberculosis with fistulae were treated by intra-articular operation combined with chemotherapy.
After the acute symptoms have subsided by means of the conservative treatments, the surgical operation was indicated. After curetting of the joints, the cavities were packed with homogenous bone chips of ribbs; in some cases the fusion operations were attempted.
The chemotherapy by streptomycin and penicillin was started from two days before operation, and continued after operation. The total dosis of streptomycin were 10gr. and that of penicillin million units, from the economical standpoint of the patients.
At the time of operation, streptomycin in dosis of 0.3gr. and penicillin 100, 000units were administrated locally.
Although the follow-up period was to date only one year, the results obtained were excellent but one relapse, which was operated in acute stage.
The duration of treatment may be reduced by means of surgical treatments combined with chemotherapy.