Update on surgical sepsis syndrome

Sepsis is a serious complication in surgical patients, and is associated with prolonged hospital stay and high mortality rates. The definitions of sepsis have been revisited recently. This article reviews how definitions have changed over the years, and provides an update on basic pathobiology and essential aspects of treatment.

PubMed was searched for reports published in English before October 2016, using the search terms 'surgical sepsis' AND 'surgical ICU'. The reference lists of articles identified in the search were also checked. Other relevant literature was selected based on personal knowledge of developments in the field of sepsis.

Sepsis is defined as the presence of infection plus associated organ dysfunction. It occurs as the result of a dysregulated host response to the infection. Prevention of infection is an important means of limiting the development of sepsis. Treatment relies on source control, appropriate antibiotics and organ support. Research continues in an attempt to identify effective immunomodulatory therapies.

Sepsis is an important and serious complication of surgery, and precautions must be taken to try to prevent infection in surgical patients. If sepsis develops, rapid diagnosis is crucial so that appropriate source control, antimicrobial therapy and organ support can be started early in the course of disease. New techniques enabling a better classification of a patient's particular sepsis profile will enable more personalized therapy.