Basic aspects of and general problems in surgical infections

Antibiotics are important in the prophylaxis and treatment of surgical infections as well as in the management of nosocomial infections acquired postoperatively in surgical patients. Surgeons encounter a range of infectious conditions, including established single-pathogen infections of soft tissues, polymicrobial intra-abdominal infections, and resistant gram-negative nosocomial infections such as ventilator-associated and aspiration pneumonia. Preoperative antibiotic administration has been shown to reduce the risk of surgical site infections and is now an accepted part of the standard care for most surgical patients. In patients with established single-pathogen or polymicrobial infections requiring surgery, studies have shown appropriate empiric antibiotic therapy to be an important adjunct to surgical intervention and general supportive measures in improving patient outcome. Antibiotics are also essential for those who develop postoperative nosocomial infections. Empiric coverage of the most likely causative organisms, especially in synergistic polymicrobial mixed infections, is one of the keys to successful prophylaxis and treatment of surgical infections.