Post-operative abdominal infections: epidemiology, operational definitions, and outcomes

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Critical Care Medicine
• Surgical Infections

Background:

• Postoperative abdominal infections are a significant and diverse challenge in intensive care units (ICUs).
• These infections involve bacterial or fungal pathogens within the abdominal cavity.
• Multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens add complexity to these infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a narrative review of postoperative bacterial and fungal abdominal infections.
• To discuss the heterogeneity in defining and classifying these infections.
• To highlight key aspects of management, including source control and antimicrobial therapy.

Main Methods:

• Narrative review of existing literature on postoperative abdominal infections.
• Discussion of clinical presentation, etiology, and diagnostic challenges.
• Analysis of treatment strategies and prognostic factors.

Main Results:

• Defining postoperative abdominal infections remains difficult due to heterogeneity.
• Source control and antimicrobial therapy are critical for prognosis.
• Appropriateness and timing of interventions are key modifiable factors.

Conclusions:

• Effective management requires addressing the heterogeneity of these infections.
• Improving the appropriateness and timing of source control and antimicrobial therapy is essential.
• Further research and clinical efforts are needed to optimize outcomes for patients with postoperative abdominal infections.