The role of computerized tomography in fever, septicemia and multiple system organ failure after laparotomy

Fifty-two patients with postoperative sepsis were studied by abdominal and pelvic computerized tomography (CT) for the presence and location of septic foci. CT mapping of infected fluid collections had direct therapeutic consequences as it allowed the selection of patients for percutaneous drainage, local operative drainage or relaparotomy. As soon as sepsis is suspected, an abdominal and pelvic CT study should be performed so that therapeutic procedures may be carried out at a stage at which no organ is yet failing, that is, in a period of lowest mortality.