The Surgical Management of Non-Functioning Tuberculous Kidneys

Abstract

All cases of non-functioning tuberculous kidneys in patients were studied for 3 yr. The operative, pathological and bacteriological findings are presented. In 89.3% of the cases (25/28), the kidneys and ureters were destroyed and nephrectomy was done. In 10.7% (3/28 cases), a reconstructive operation was possible with gratifying results. In 17.9% (5/28 cases), the caseous material was positive for acid-fast bacilli on direct smear. Surgical exploration should be done on all patients with non-functioning tuberculous kidneys to salvage kidneys before they are damaged totally by the obstructive lesions, remove a potential source of infection with viable organisms and shorten convalescence.