Pulmonary aspergilloma :what for thoracic surgery?

<bold>Introduction:</bold> Pulmonary aspergillar infection in the form of aspergilloma occurs in patients with respiratory tract abnormalities (chronic obstructive bronchopneumopathy, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis) or chronic pulmonary cavities. The primary treatment for pulmonary aspergilloma currently is surgery <bold>Materials and Methods:</bold> We conducted a descriptive retrospective study carried out within the thoracic surgery department at Abderrahmen Mami Hospital in Ariana, including all patients diagnosed with aspergilloma during the period from January 2012 to December 2022 <bold>Results:</bold> Our study included a total of 32 patients, consisting of 23 males and 9 females, with a sex ratio of 2.55. The mean age of the patients was 53.96 years. Right-sided involvement was observed in 63.33% of cases, while left-sided involvement was observed in 36.66% of cases. Associated tuberculosis was observed in 3 patients, and associated bronchiectasis was observed in only one patient. Surgical management was performed in 87.5% of cases. The surgical approach was primarily posterolateral thoracotomy. The most frequently performed surgical procedure was lobectomy in 19 cases, accounting for 70.3%, followed by pneumonectomy in 3 cases, bilobectomy in 2 cases, segmentectomy in 2 cases, and wedge resection in a single case. Postoperative outcomes were uncomplicated in 77.77% of cases and complicated in 22.22% of cases. The most common complications were secondary pneumothorax in 33.33% and infectious pneumonia in 33.33%. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Despite surgery being the primary treatment for aspergilloma, it is associated with significant mortality and morbidity