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The exact risk of infection to the patient cannot be calculated. It probably varies according to the type of surgery, surgical technique and possibly variable infectivity of the surgeon. One gynecological surgeon infected 9% of 247 patients (Welch J et al, Lancet 1989; 1:205). There are case studies of e antigen negative surgeons who infected their patients and one case of a fatal outcome after the patient developed fulminent hepatitis (Sundkvist T et al. Commun Dis Public Health 1998; 1:48).