SURGICAL-TREATMENT OF SEVERE INTRAABDOMINAL INFECTION

Intra-abdominal infection caused by a perforated hollow viscus, transm ural bowel necrosis or pancreatic necrosis is a life-threatening illne ss. The cornerstone of surgical treatment is the elimation of the infe ctious focus, debridement and intra-operative lavage. In severe infra- abdominal infection secondary procedures such as continuous postoperat ive peritoneal lavage or planned re-explorations are often done to pre vent residual or recurent infection. The patient benefit of these proc edures in terms of morbidity and mortality is not evident. New therape utic modalities such a intra-abdominal administration of fibrinolytic agents or anty-cytokine antibodies, which are primarily based on. path ophysiological processes in, the abdominal cavity following infection, may improve patient outcome.