title: Laparoscopy in the evaluation and treatment of patients with AIDS and acute abdominal complaints.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The evaluation of AIDS patients with acute abdominal complaints (AAC) is quite difficult, and surgical intervention is associated with a high complication rate. The intent of this study is to evaluate the application of laparoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of AIDS patients with AAC.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective analysis of 10 consecutive AIDS patients who presented with AAC. Each had evaluation by a surgical team with subsequent laparoscopic intervention. The charts were reviewed for age, sex, time with AIDS, AIDS comorbidities, evaluation modalities, findings, treatment modalities, and outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Laparoscopy resulted in the successful surgical treatment of four patients, diagnosis of medically treatable conditions in four patients, and alteration of the incision site in the remaining two patients. Each patient thus received direct benefit from laparoscopy. Two complications, in the converted patients, and no mortalities were encountered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopy is a safe and effective interventional modality in the diagnosis and treatment of AAC in the AIDS patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Georgia Baptist Medical Center, Atlanta 30312, USA.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Box
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ramshaw
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Melton
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Lucas
mesh_terms: D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000328:Adult; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D012449:Safety