Intra-abdominal Infections

• Published in: The Surgical clinics of North America Vol. 94; no. 6; pp. 1319 - 1333
• Main Authors: Shirah, Gina R., MD, O’Neill, Patrick J., PhD, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-12-2014
• Subjects: Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; Antibiotics; Combined Modality Therapy; Complicated intra-abdominal infections; Damage control surgery; Debridement; Humans; Intraabdominal Infections - diagnosis; Intraabdominal Infections - etiology; Intraabdominal Infections - therapy; Resuscitation; Resuscitation - methods; Source control; Surgery; Systemic inflammatory response syndrome; Uncomplicated intra-abdominal infections; Complicated intra-abdominal infections; Damage control surgery; Systemic inflammatory response syndrome; Antibiotics; Uncomplicated intra-abdominal infections; Source control; Resuscitation
• ISSN: 0039-6109; 1558-3171
• DOI: 10.1016/j.suc.2014.08.005

Intra-abdominal infections are multifactorial, but all require prompt identification, diagnosis, and treatment. Resuscitation, early antibiotic administration, and source control are crucial. Antibiotic administration should initially be broad spectrum and target the most likely pathogens. When cultures are available, antibiotics should be narrowed and limited in duration. The method of source control depends on the anatomic site, site accessibility, and the patient’s clinical condition. Patient-specific factors (advanced age and chronic medical conditions) as well as disease-specific factors (health care–associated infections and inability to obtain source control) combine to affect patient morbidity and mortality.