OBJECTIVE: To describe the spectrum of surgical outcome in persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

DESIGN: Retrospective (or Prospective where possible) survey of medical records of surgical patients.

SETTING: Several clinics, hospitals, and private medical practices; multi-country settings.

PATIENTS: A calculated estimated total of about 500 patients 13 years of age or older with HIV infection who received medical and/ surgical care in the last five years till date to be enrolled.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Any history of diseases in the 1987 case definition for the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and during the 24-month period preceding enrollment (baseline period), the occurrence of other major diseases, or surgical outcome, hospitalizations, and results of CD4+ lymphocyte counts.

CONCLUSIONS: The study will ultimately explore the spectrum of surgical outcome in the selected HIV population and also determine the possible overall effect of HIV and AIDS on surgical practice.