Minimally invasive surgery for children with HIV/AIDS

Human deficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) have resulted in millions of deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa from opportunist infections. Children are not spared and are similarly affected. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) can be used, in a selected number of children, as a mean to establish diagnosis or render a treatment.

This study was comprised of a 7-year retrospective analysis of a single pediatric surgeon's experience in South Africa. Forty-eight children, with ages 3 months to 14 years, with HIV/AIDS underwent laparoscopic/thoracoscopic exploration and treatment.

Diagnostic laparoscopy and biopsy were the most common procedures (29 cases) indicated for nonspecific abdominal pain or rectal bleeding. The second most common procedure was laparoscopic antireflux fundoplication (10 cases) for damaged lower esophageal sphincter secondary to chronic candidal infection. The remaining procedures were for other rare surgical conditions, seen often in AIDS patients. No significant procedure-related complications occurred, but there were 2 mortalities from the underlying pathology in this cohort.

This is the largest report on MIS for children with HIV/AIDS in the medical literature. It is shown that laparoscopic/thoracoscopic exploration and treatment in children with HIV/AIDS is safe and indicated for establishing the diagnosis and treatment of these unfortunate children.