Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0149520 (acute cholecystitis)
 2,784 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Four distinct disease processes account for the majority of surgically correctable intra-abdominal pathologies associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection: cytomegalovirus infection, Kaposi's sarcoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and mycobacterial infection. Affected patients may also develop acute cholecystitis and appendicitis with significant frequency. Thorough investigation, when possible, will obviate the need for laparotomy in most HIV-infected patients with abdominal symptoms and signs. In those who require surgical intervention, the outcome varies greatly according to the nature of the diagnosis.
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PMID:Laparotomy in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus: indications and outcome. 788 36

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may turn out to be the largest lethal epidemic of infection ever. The estimated global number of HIV-infected adults in 1993 was 13 million, with projections of up to 40 million by the year 2000. Human immunodeficiency virus infections and AIDS are relevant to surgeons with respect to the surgical management of AIDS patients in general, the treatment of the increasingly long list of surgical complications specific to AIDS patients in particular, and the risks of patient-to-surgeon and surgeon-to-patient HIV transmission. Because of migration of individuals and populations throughout the world, even surgeons practicing in relatively unaffected regions should be familiar with the potential surgical implications of AIDS. Ethical considerations arise, as well. Are surgeons obliged to operate on HIV-positive or AIDS patients? Some surgeons adhere strictly to the Hippocratic Oath, whereas others reserve the right to be selective on whom they operate, except in emergencies. Other common ethical considerations in the AIDS patient are similar to those arising in the terminal cancer case: whether to operate or not; whether to provide advanced support such as total parenteral nutrition or hemodialysis. Answers are not simple and require close collaboration between the surgeon, the AIDS specialist, and involved members of other specialties. Emergency operations become necessary to treat AIDS independent disease such as acute cholecystitis and appendicitis or AIDS-related life-threatening conditions such as gastrointestinal bleeding, obstruction, perforation, or ischemia complicating Kaposi's sarcoma, lymphoma, and cytomegalovirus or disseminated nontuberculous mycobacterial infections. Delays and errors in diagnosis are frequent. Poor nutritional state with weight loss, low serum albumin, and leukocyte count prevails in most patients requiring emergency operations and account for a high mortality. By applying solid judgment and selecting management appropriately, the surgeon has the ability to prolong life and to improve the quality of life for these unfortunate patients, and to do so with extremely minimal risk to himself and his team.
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PMID:AIDS, emergency operations, and infection control. 887 99