Outcomes of spine surgery in hiv – seropositive patients : a retrospective study

Abstract

Aim:To analyze the surgical outcome of spine surgery in HIV positive patients Summary of Background Data:There are very few reports of cases of HIV positive patients undergoing spine surgery for unrelated afflictions. The largest such study is an exclusive study of surgery for tuberculosis of spine. Another notable study reports solely on non-infective conditions of spine undergoing elective surgery. Methods: We studied a series of HIV positive patients who underwent spine surgery for various causes including infective, degenerative and metastatic diseases of spine. Surgery was carried out in elective and emergency settings. Post-operative complications and long-term outcome was analyzed. Results:Incidence of post-operative complications in HIV positive patients is not unduely high. In patients without significant comorbidities, outcome was good. In patients with significant other co-morbidities like metastatic disease and serious infection, the outcome was poor. Conclusions: Not factoring in the duration and severity of the neuro-spinal disease, outcome depends upon the patients general health condition and other co-morbidities. Surgical decisions should be taken after evaluating the same