Surgical treatment of degenerative spinal pathology in HIV-infected patients

INTRODUCTION . The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a global health problem. It makes the central nervous system susceptible to infectious and non-communicable diseases. HIV-infected individuals can contact neurosurgical services not only with brain damage, but also with conditions unrelated to their HIV status. MATERIALS AND METHODS . Out of 6,000 medical records of patients operated on for degenerative spinal pathology from 2012 to 2022, 12 medical records of patients with a positive HIV test were selected. RESULTS . Significantly later terms of admission to surgical treatment were revealed in this group of patients: 33.6 days, while in HIV-negative patients this period averaged 15.2 days, while the level of quality of life and severity of pain syndrome were comparable with the group of HIV-negative patients. In addition, the average age of patients admitted with HIV for surgical treatment was 10.3 years less. There were no infectious wound complications in the group of HIV-positive patients, with a follow-up period of 1 year. CONCLUSION . HIV-infected patients undergo surgery for degenerative stenosis much later. The number of operations for degenerative pathology in patients with HIV infection in Russia is significantly lower than it should be statistically. More extensive research is needed to obtain more accurate data on this issue. The number of complications in patients with HIV infection operated on for degenerative stenosis does not exceed the same data in patients operated on with HIV-negative status.