Elective Caesarean Section . . H.I.V./AIDS

August 3rd

I'm on my week-end off, however I had to be called to assist Dr Nsisi in performing an Elective Caesarean Section.

I greeted the patient in the Theatre to help cancel some of her anxieties.

The indication for the Section was, a previous Section in the past as well as a Breech presentation currently (buttocks-down position). What this indicates is that a past Caesarean Section would have weakened the potential strength with which the womb can muscularly contract during labour. This fact, now coupled with a Breech presentation which on its own constitutes its own difficulties for the baby's smooth passage, is what informed the decision as regards the mode of delivery.

Hence, the option for an Elective (Planned) Caesarean Section.

The surgery went very well.

I cannot believe I failed to update you - The Hysteric patient with the convulsion. She turned out to be H.I.V. positive. Meaning that her convulsive seizures (or fits) must have been H.I.V. Encephalopathy, though I'm no expert. Simply put, we think the virus has gotten a hold on her brain-cells that are now a bit dysfunctional. The poor woman.

The day I ran up to arrest her convulsions was when I noticed the characteristic dark patches of what was then my suspicion and now obviously Kaposi Sarcoma - a malignant Tumour that is common to many AIDS patients. Then, it could well have been scars from allergic insect-bites. This is very doubtful now as Kaposi's is very much certain to be the case.

She's since been discharged and sent for H.I.V. confirmatory tests.

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