[Injury to the surgeon in treatment of an HIV infected patient]

The number of HIV-infected female patients undergoing surgery is increasing. Injuries of the surgeon can never be completely excluded. The risk of HIV infection via a needle puncture lesion is estimated to be approximately 0.4%. Besides the well-known protective measures, careful wound disinfection followed by HIV tests for a period of up to six month after the lesion are indicated. It is indeed high time to consider the patient HIV test as a matter of course, not least because it is our duty to be concerned also about the health of our co-workers and staff directly engaged in patient care.