Transurethral prostatectomy in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients, morbidity and surgical risks in a developing economy

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is increasing world-wide and highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAAT) is allowing afflicted individuals to live near normal life span and acquire surgical diseases of the aged as in the unaffected population. This pose occupational hazards to operating surgeons especially in tropical Africa where the seroprevalence is so high that seroconversion in the medical staff contaminated with the virus is estimated to be as much as 15 times (per annum) more than what obtains in developed. A 63-year old man was admitted to our Hospital with urethral catheter in situ and having failed medical therapy, he opted for transurethral prostatectomy (TURP) which was done without any post-operative complication. He was known to be afflicted with human immunodeficiency virus and on treatment for 3 years. He also had a large but reducible inguinoscrotal hernia for 4 years attributed to lower urinary tract obstruction. He had a Lichtenstein repair of right inguinoscrotal hernia which was complicated by small hematoma that was evacuated. The risk of transmission and surgical morbidity during transurethral prostatectomy could be minimized by adequate universal precaution, pre-testing of all consented patients and wise selection of patients that would benefit from such surgical therapy.