Active R/ led to an additional 6% sputum conversion. Sauerbruch’s para-vertebral thoracoplasty, an extensive operation, was impossible if both lungs were infected, had a low success rate (35%) and a high mortality rate (12%). Apicolysis with / without plombage followed, a procedure involving lysis of the lung apex / apices, in some cases followed by introduction of lead pellets (plombage). Apicolysis with total resection of the first rib proved more successful: average cure rate of 60-70%, a mortality rate of 4.7%, and possible in case of bilateral TB.