ABSTRACT
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