Postoperative Lung Abscess

I. INTRODUCTION TYPES OF LUNG ABSCESS Pulmonary suppuration, though long a matter of much clinical interest, remains one of the conditions of which the underlying etiologic factors are still in dispute. Several types of lung abscesses seem to occur, each of which may develop from quite different causes. With our present knowledge, classification from the pathologic point of view seems wisest. Aschner¹groups the several types as follows: 1. Bronchiectasis. 2. Bronchiectatic abscess. 3. Suppurative pneumonitis. 4. Extrabronchial abscess. Among the more common clinical forms of lung abscess is that which is now recognized as developing subsequent to operation. This recent recognition emphasizes the importance of studying and classifying postoperative lung abscess as a separate clinical entity. The considerable proportion of such abscesses following the operation of tonsillectomy has led the otolaryngologists to study, report on and investigate this condition from both the clinical and laboratory sides. The majority