The surgical management of AIDS and HIV-infected patients.

The consequences of AIDS and HIV infection on society, medical care in general, and surgery in particular are considerable, and will continue to grow. Major problems facing surgeons will be how and when to provide appropriate care for AIDS patients, and protection of themselves and all health care personnel from occupational infection by the highly lethal HIV. Strict adherence to guidelines to prevent such occupational infection is paramount, and these should be observed in all patients, since it is impossible to always identify patients who are infectious. A sound understanding of the clinical problem and attention to this evolving epidemic are also essential for surgeons and all other health care personnel. With respect to society in general, control of AIDS and HIV can only be achieved by a joint effort of education, individual responsibility, and a coordinated governmental commitment to the problem.