Gender Reassignment Surgery in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Patients: A Report of Two Cases.
10.5999/aps.2015.42.6.776
- Author:
Seok Kwun KIM
1
;
Ji An CHOI
;
Myung Hoon KIM
;
Min Su KIM
;
Keun Cheol LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dong-A University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea. sgkim1@dau.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Sex reassignment surgery;
HIV infection;
Post-exposure prophylaxis
- MeSH:
Anti-Bacterial Agents;
Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active;
CD4 Lymphocyte Count;
Eyeglasses;
Glass;
Gloves, Protective;
HIV;
HIV Infections;
Humans*;
Medical Staff;
Operating Rooms;
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis;
Postoperative Complications;
Protective Clothing;
Sex Reassignment Surgery*
- From:Archives of Plastic Surgery
2015;42(6):776-782
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
It is believed that surgery on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients is dangerous and should be avoided due to the possibility of postoperative infection of the patients or HIV occupational transmission to the medical staff. We discuss here the preparations and measures needed to conduct surgery safely on HIV-positive patients, based on our experience. We performed sex reassignment surgery on two HIV-positive patients from January 2013 to January 2015. Both of them were receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy and were asymptomatic, with a normal CD4 count (>500 cells/microL). The HIV-RNA was undetectable within the bloodstream. All the staff wore protective clothing, glasses, and three pairs of protective gloves in the operating room because of the possibility of transmission. Prophylactic antibiotics were administered to the patients, and antiviral therapy was performed during their perioperative course. Neither of the patients had postoperative complications, and none of the medical staff experienced accidental exposure. Both patients had satisfactory surgery outcomes without complications. HIV-positive patients can undergo surgery safely without increased risk of postoperative complications or HIV transmission to the staff through the proper use of antibiotics, active antiretroviral therapy, and supplemental protective measures with post-exposure prophylaxis for the staff in case of HIV exposure.
