title: Gastrointestinal surgery and the acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
abstract: Acquired immune-deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is becoming an increasing problem to the surgeon. The impact of HIV/AIDS on surgical practice include the undoubted risk to which the surgeon will expose him or herself, the atypical conditions that may be encountered and the outcome and long term benefit of the surgical treatment in view of disease progression. The two factors most associated with surgical outcome and poor wound healing were AIDS and poor performance status (ASA score). This article questions whether gastrointestinal surgical procedures can be safe and effective therapeutic measures in HIV/AIDS patients and if surgical outcome is worthy of the surgeon's ethical responsibility to treat. As HIV/AIDS patients are not a homogeneous group, with careful patient selection, emergency laparotomy for peritonitis confers worthwhile palliation. However, aggressive surgical intervention must be undertaken with caution and adequate peri-operative care is required. Symptomatic improvement of anorectal pathology may make delayed wound healing an acceptable complication. Alternatives to surgery can be contemplated for diagnosis, prophylaxis or palliation.
authors: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, PO Box 126, Limbe, Cameroon.
authors: Elroy P
authors: EP
authors: Weledji
authors: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon.
authors: Dickson
authors: D
authors: Nsagha
authors: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, PO Box 126, Limbe, Cameroon.
authors: Alain
authors: A
authors: Chichom
authors: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon.
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Enoworock
keywords: Anorectal disorders; Gastrointestinal pathologies; HIV/AIDS; Surgery