SURGICAL SKIN AND SOFT-TISSUE INFECTIONS

The recent literature on skin and soft tissue infections is reviewed, focusing on the development of an accurate definition of surgical skin and soft tissue infection such that true figures can be reported and compared with different management protocols. Guidelines from the Cent er for Disease Control contribute to this definition, giving a clear a ccount of exactly which infections constitute surgical wound infection s. The necessity for regimented surveillance of peri- and postoperativ e surgical wounds is stressed; incidence is increased in well recogniz ed host- and procedure-related scenarios, which are introduced as pote ntial risk factors, to be taken into account when planning therapy. Th e rationale and appropriate use of prophylactic antibiotics in various situations is explained with recommendations on procedures, choice an d administration. Bacterial flora of surgical wound infections is desc ribed, and specific sites of soft tissue infection - the neck, the ske letal muscle, and the perineum are addressed. The most relevant articl es have been summarized.