Surgical management of anal condylomata in the HIV-positive patient

Abstract

A retrospective review of 677 patients who tested positive for the human immunodeficiency virus, evaluated from January 1986 to February 1988, demonstrated 119 patients (18 percent) with anal condylomata. Demographics of these patients were similar to the total human immunodeficiency virus group; ages ranged from 19 to 86 years (mean, 25 years). Ninety-four percent of patients were men, 62 percent were white, 30 percent were black, and 10 percent were other races, primarily Hispanic. Ten percent of the patients admitted to homosexual activity and 2 percent admitted to intravenous drug abuse. Sixty percent of the population had another sexually transmitted illness. The majority of patients were in early Walter Reed Classes (Stage I or II). With follow-up of 4 to 26 months (mean=12 months), the recurrence rate for anal condylomata was 26 percent after local treatment with podophyllin and 4 percent after fulguration and excision. There were no operative complications. Our study confirmed that anal condylomata and sexually transmitted diseases are common in patients who test positive for the human immunodeficiency virus and that patients who test positive for the human immunodeficiency virus with early Walter Reed stages can be expected to do well with appropriate therapy.