BACKGROUND: In spite of initial intensive and long-term chemotherapy for pulmonary tuberculosis, many problems remain in the treatment of the residual lesion. The role of surgical intervention for pulmonary tuberculosis is getting rid of such residual lesion of pulmonary tuberculosis to support the healing process and to induce bacteriologically negative conversion in the end. METHOD: We experienced 30 cases of pulmonary resection for pulmonary tuberculosis from Aug. 1994 through Apr. 1995 in National Masan Tuberculosis Hospital. We conducted retrospective study to analyze several variables for the cases. RESULTS: 1) The ratio between male and female was 4:l(male 24, female 6) and the age of peak incidence was in 3rd and 4th decades. 2) Indications for pulmonary resection in the radiographic findings were cavitary lesions of 19 cases(63.3%), destroyed one side of 8 cases(26.7%) and destroyed one lobe of 3 cases(10%). 3) 16 of 20 cases with unilateral lesions and all of 10 cases with bilateral lesions on chest X-ray films showed AFB positive on preoperative sputum smears. 14 cases(87.5%) of unilateral lesions and 9 cases(90%) of bilateral ones were converted into AFB negative postoperatively. Negative conversion rates of pneumonectomy and lobectomy cases were 100% and 85.7%, respectively. 4) Preoperative combined disease was 3 cases(10%) of DM and postoperative complications were 2 cases(6.7%) of dead space and no death. CONCLUSION: Chemotherapy only has some limitation in treatment of all tuberculosis. So, surgical intervention for pulmonary tuberculosis is an effective method as partner of chemotherapy.