AIDS and arthroscopic surgery. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1993. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

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AIDS and arthroscopic surgery.

Arthroscopy. 1992;8(3):279-86. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/93039131
Cannon WD Jr; Vittori JM; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San; Francisco School of Medicine 94143-0728.

Abstract: There are an estimated 8 to 10 million people worldwide infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The true extent of infection in the population is unknown, and many are unaware of their HIV status. Arthroscopic and arthroscopically assisted surgery is less invasive and bloody than other orthopaedic procedures, and seemingly less hazardous to surgeons. Nevertheless, the potential for exposure exists. Arthroscopic surgeons routinely experience gown, face-mask and shoe-cover saturation from the splashing of blood-tainted irrigation fluid. Glove perforations by needles, sharps, and bone fragments can occur. Bone and tissue allografts pose risks to both surgeon and patient, as HIV has been recovered from fresh, frozen and freeze-dried specimens. The process of cleaning and disinfecting arthroscopes adequately can damage these expensive devices. This article addresses the safeguards that arthroscopic surgeons should take to prevent exposure to HIV. Effective sterilizing and disinfecting techniques for arthroscopes are also discussed.
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*PREVENTION & CONTROL/ *TRANSMISSION *Arthroscopy Disinfection/METHODS Gloves, Surgical Human Masks Occupational Exposure/*ADVERSE EFFECTS Protective Clothing Shoes Transplantation, Homologous JOURNAL ARTICLE REVIEW REVIEW, TUTORIALKWDacquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome/KWDprevention&control/KWDtransmissionKWDarthroscopydisinfection/methodsgloves,surgicalhumanmasksoccupationalexposure/KWDadverseeffectsprotectiveclothingshoestransplantation,homologousjournalarticlereviewreview,tutorial
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M9320842

Copyright © 1993 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

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