Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Indications for abdominal surgery, pathology, and outcome.

Thirty-six major abdominal operations were performed on 35 Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients (33 men, two women). Twenty-two elective operations were indicated for diagnosis of abdominal or retroperitoneal mass (6), incomplete bowel obstruction (5), intra-abdominal infection (4), biliary symptoms (3), thrombocytopenia (3), and toxic megacolon (1). Fourteen emergency operations were for perforated viscus or peritonitis (11), massive gastrointestinal bleeding (2), and cecal volvulus (1). In 5 of 22 (23%) elective operations AIDS was unknown to the treating physicians until diagnosed by the surgical pathology; in contrast, all 14 emergency operations were in patients who had a known diagnosis of AIDS. The operative findings were related to AIDS in 34 of 36 (94%) operations. Cytomegalovirus was the most common pathogen, isolated or identified microscopically in 11 patients (eight emergency and three elective operations). Mycobacterial infections presented as retroperitoneal adenopathy or splenic abscess in six patients. Non-Hodgkins lymphoma was the most common malignancy found, presenting as an abdominal mass (4), bowel obstruction (3), or with gastrointestinal bleeding (2). Kaposi's sarcoma was diagnosed at laparotomy in four patients. The 1-month operative mortality rate for elective operation was 9% (2 of 22) and 46% (6 of 13) in emergencies. Postoperative complications included 1 reoperation for sepsis caused by inadequately resected CMV colitis; 1 pancreatic fistula; 1 wound dehiscence, and 2 minor wound infections.