Tuberculosis Surgery Treatment in India

Rohan Verma, a 28-year-old software engineer...

Rohan Verma, a 28-year-old software engineer from Bangalore, had always been active and health-conscious. For six months, he battled a persistent cough, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss. Initially dismissed as stress, his condition worsened until he coughed up blood. A chest X-ray and sputum test confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis. Despite completing the intensive phase of multi-drug therapy, a follow-up CT scan revealed a persistent cavity in his upper right lung with a thick wall, a sign of treatment failure and potential drug resistance. His pulmonologist, Dr. Mehta, explained that surgery (a right upper lobectomy) was necessary to remove the diseased, non-functioning lung tissue, which acted as a sanctuary for the bacteria and a source of ongoing infection. Rohan was terrified; surgery felt like a drastic step backward. The procedure was performed via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). The immediate post-op period in the hospital was painful and challenging, with a chest tube and intense physiotherapy. However, within weeks, his debilitating cough vanished. Six months later, with continued post-surgical medication, his sputum tests were negative. Emotionally, he transitioned from fear and frustration over his body's betrayal to profound relief and a cautious optimism. He learned to pace himself, valuing his health over his previously relentless work schedule.