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Seropositivity of Hepatitis B & C Virus in Surgical Patients Undergoing Elective & Emergency General Surgery

Aim: To assess the seropositive cases of hepatitis B & C in surgical patients admitted for both emergency & elective surgery. Methodology: This study was conducted in the surgery department of Pak Red Crescent Teaching Hospital. The design of the study was descriptive observational. All the 1238 patients undergoing emergency and elective surgery were enrolled in this study by convenient sampling. Demographic data of all the patients were recorded. Along with routine preoperative tests, all the patients were screened for hepatitis B & C virus infection. Immunochromatography (ICT) method was adopted for both HBsAg and Anti-HCV screening. In patients with week positive results further test of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed. Operation theater staff and surgeon were informed about seropositive patients to take special precautionary measures during handling of the sharp objects. Biological waste of such patients is disposed of by using Biosafety protocols. Demographic data along with risk factors, HbsAg & Anti-HCV status were collected and analyzed with Microsoft Excel 2019. Results: A total number of 1238 patients were enrolled in our study, out of them 708 were male and 530 were female. Average age of the patients was 40.05±16 years. Out of 1238 patients, HBV was found in 14(1.13%) patients and HCV was found in 121 (9.77%) patients both hepatitis B & C was found in 3(0.24%) patients. Conclusion: Preoperatively screening of hepatitis B and C should be performed mandatory in all patients regardless of the nature of surgery. Before operating seropositive patients, surgeon and operation theater staff should be informed to take precautionary measures while handling the sharp objects. Used infected material of such patients should be disposed of by using Biosafety protocols. All the health works must be vaccinated against hepatitis B virus. Keywords: Hep B infection, Hep C Infection, Seropositive.