Gynecological surgical outcomes among asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus-infected women and uninfected control subjects.

To determine the effect of asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on the risk of complications and outcomes in women undergoing gynecological surgical procedures, retrospective analysis was performed of 62 asymptomatic HIV-infected women who underwent gynecological procedures. One hundred forty seronegative women who had similar procedures during the same time period served as controls. Procedures included tubal sterilization, hysterectomy, and diagnostic laparotomy. The following variables were compared: length of hospital stay, age, blood loss, white blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. Laboratory parameters were compared pre-and postoperatively, as well as between the study and control groups. Race and parity were similar in both groups. HIV-infected women were younger (mean: 25 years versus 31 years) than controls. Length of hospital stay was similar. Blood loss was higher in the HIV-infected group than controls. (318 cc versus 122 cc) Differences in white blood cell counts, hematocrits, and febrile morbidity were insignificant. Asymptomatic HIV infection has minimal effect on the outcome of elective gynecologic surgery. The younger age of the HIV-infected women reflects the demographics of HIV infection and sterilization reflects the desire to prevent perinatal transmission.