Frequency of Hepatitis B and C in Pre-operative Patients for Elective Surgery

OBJECTIVE: To document frequency of Hepatitis B and C in patients undergoing elective surgery. DESIGN: Descriptive case series SETTING: Surgical Unit II Civil Hospital Karachi, from June 2005 to May 2006. METHODS: All patients undergoing elective surgery were screened for Hepatitis B and C by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Risk factors for hepatitis B and C virus infections were also recorded. RESULTS: Out of 496 screened patients, HBsAg was found positive in 25 (5.0%) patients. Out of 25 HBsAg positive patients 14 (56%) were females and 11 (44%) were males. Anti-HCV was reported positive in 60 (12.0%) patients in which 38 (63.3%) were females and 22 (36.6%) were males. Overall 19.7% subjects had been vaccinated against HBV. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the high prevalence of hepatitis B and C in pre-operative patients is present in our population.