The case against mandatory preoperative HIV screening in Africa

Surgeons are treating an increasing number of HIV-infected patients for surgical problems both related and unrelated to HIV infection. There had been vehement debate surrounding the question of preoperative HIV testing of patients. Supporters of preoperative HIV testing argued that members of the surgical team had the right to know whether they were at risk for acquiring a fatal infection after exposure to a patient's blood. However, the testing was opposed by many because of the civil rights implications of a positive HIV test result and the fear that HIV-positive patients would receive sub-optimal treatment. This paper reviewed available literature and made recommendations based on available scientific evidence with particular emphasis on the situation in Africa.