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Background: The long history of the struggle against tuberculosis (TB) inspired us to develop a new minimally invasive technique of thoracoplasty with videothoracoscope control (VATP). The aim of this study was to determine its efficacy. Methods: We conducted a retrospective single-center study of a cohort of patients operated on between 1999 and 2017. Two hundred eight patients who were indicated for thoracoplasty with verified TB with cavities in the upper lobe/S6 were enrolled in this study. Treatment outcomes were assessed based on Laserson criteria and active TB absence verified with CT. Results: Intraoperative and postoperative complications were observed in 15 (7.2%) and 4 (2.0%) cases, respectively. There were no 30-day mortalities. VATP with curative intent succeeded in 88% of cases according to Laserson criteria and active TB absence verified with computed tomography (CT). Clinical improvement (sputum negativity, closure of caverna, and lack of reactivation for 3 years) was achieved in 81% of cases. Conclusions: Comparing the successful results of this technique in the cohort of multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB patients with the outcomes of treatment of MDR TB worldwide (77% vs . 55%, respectively), the VATP technique is shown to be efficacious and thus recommended. Clinical trial registry number: ISRCTN67743278.

Highlights • Removal of the non-functioning part of the lung eliminates the air/vascular shunt. • it may cause an improvement of cardiorespiratory function. • single lung resection is possible with the functional futility of the removed part., Introduction Single lung resection remains a challenge due to the preservation of the respiratory reserve. This report presents that case of a female patient with bilateral fibrotic-cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with empyema on the right lung. Only 3.5 lung segments were left after a multistage surgery. Presentation of case The first stage included draining of empyema and transsternal transmediastinal right main bronchus occlusion. Then, upper lobectomy with partial S6 resection of the left lung, followed by pleuropneumonectomy was performed. At a follow-up of two years and 10 months, patient’s condition was good. Discussion Although single lung surgery has been possible over half a century ago, it remains a high-risk intervention. Conclusion With the removal of the non-functioning parenchyma and elimination of the air/vascular shunt, single lung resection volume exceeding lobectomy is possible, which may improve cardiorespiratory function.