Analytical Assessment of Operative Complications in Hepatitis B and C Patients in E.N.T Practice

Background:   The aim of this study is to get an overview of patients presenting for surgery who are HBV or HCV positive on investigations without previous history of any symptoms. Type of study:  A cross-sectional observational study. Patients and Methods:   100 consecutive patients admitted in ENT Department Unit 1, Mayo Hospital, Lahore from November 2008 to February 2009 were screened for Hepatitis B and C and were followed up for assessment of compli-cations. Results:   9 patients (9%) were screened HCV positive and (3%) were HBsAg positive.  Out of these 5 patients (42%) showed complications, one with reactionary hemorrhage and four were declared unfit for general anesthesia. There was a high incidence of complications in patients with Hepatitis C but the results were not statistically significant (p = 0.159). Conclusion:   The results of this study show that complication rate of surgery is very high in Hepatitis C patients and all patients presenting in ENT should be screened for Hepatitis. Key words: Anti HCV antibody, HbsAg, Surgical risks.