Homograft materials in otolaryngology: the risk of transmitting human immunodeficiency virus

Homograft materials are extensively used in various surgical procedures in otolaryngology, but with the increasing prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the population this practice must be reviewed. Careful donor selection and antibody testing reduce but do not fully eliminate the risk of an HIV positive donor, and current preservation techniques may not inactivate all viruses. The use of homograft tissues should therefore be reconsidered as autograft or prosthetic material provides a satisfactory alternative in many cases.