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WOUND HEALING AFTER IMPLANT SURGERY IN HIV POSITIVE PATIENTS

11 Ilford Road, Jesmond, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE2 3NX

A prospective study was undertaken of wound healing in HIV positive patients undergoing orthopaedic implant surgery. 175 implant operations were assessed. 40 operations (23%) were in HIV positive individuals. Wounds were scored using the Asepsis scoring system.

Closed fractures in HIV positive patients had 1 (3. 5%) major infection. No correlation was seen between CD4 count and risk of wound infection.

With regards to early wound sepsis, implant surgery can be undertaken safely in HIV positive individuals with closed injuries regardless of CD4 count. The risk of wound sepsis rises dramatically in implant surgery for HIV positive patients with open fractures.

The abstracts were prepared by Mr Simon Donell. Correspondence should be addressed to him at the Department of Orthopaedics, Norfolk & Norwich Hospital, Level 4, Centre Block, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UY, United Kingdom