[Current problems and strategies in the management of intra-abdominal infection]

The incidence of intra-abdominal infection increases annually. The current management of intra-abdominal infection includes immediate resuscitation, prompt source control and appropriate usage of antibiotics. For patients with septic shock, fluid resuscitation should begin immediately when hypotension is present. Fluid resuscitation should be combined with vasoactive drugs. Damage control surgery promotes the development of ultrasound or CT guided percutaneous abscess drainage and open abdomen therapy. Rational use of anti-infective drugs could prevent prevalence of multiple antibiotics resistant bacteria and pan-resistant bacteria. The gut rehabilitation measures can improve the recovery of gut function and restore of enteral nutrition, and thus prevents bacterial translocation in intra-abdominal infection patients. Monitoring and modulations of immune function may further improve the successful rate of treatment of intra-abdominal infections. Non-thyroidal illness syndrome may develop in the severe intra-abdominal infection patients and should be promptly corrected.