Management of Intra-Abdominal Infections
Summary
Intra-abdominal infections encompass a spectrum from confined organ-based infections to diffuse peritonitis, frequently leading to sepsis and organ dysfunction. Effective management rests on three pillars: rapid, accurate diagnosis; decisive source control to remove or drain infected foci; and judicious antimicrobial therapy tailored to pathogen profile, pharmacokinetics and stewardship principles. Early risk stratification—considering patient comorbidities, infection extent and resistance risk—guides the timing and intensity of interventions. Supportive measures, including fluid resuscitation, vasopressor support and organ-function monitoring, are integral to improving outcomes. A personalised, multidisciplinary approach ensures that surgical, interventional and medical therapies are synchronised to minimise morbidity and mortality worldwide.
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Management of Intra-Abdominal Infections publication trend
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Technical terms
Source control: Surgical or interventional procedures aimed at eliminating the origin of infection, such as drainage, debridement or resection.
Pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics: Principles governing drug absorption, distribution and action at the site of infection to optimise dosing.
Antimicrobial stewardship: Coordinated strategies to prescribe antibiotics responsibly, reducing resistance and preserving efficacy.
Peritonitis: Inflammation of the peritoneum, often due to bacterial contamination of the abdominal cavity.
Empiric therapy: Initial antimicrobial treatment commenced before pathogen identification, guided by likely organisms and resistance patterns.
References
- Intra-abdominal infections survival guide: a position statement by the Global Alliance For Infections In Surgery. World Journal of Emergency Surgery (2024).
- Source Control and Antibiotics in Intra-Abdominal Infections. Antibiotics (2024).
- The management of intra-abdominal infections from a global perspective: 2017 WSES guidelines for management of intra-abdominal infections. World Journal of Emergency Surgery (2017).
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