Francesco M. Labricciosa, MD, Specialist in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine
Intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) represent an important cause of morbidity and mortality across the globe.
Optimal management of complicated IAIs requires a personalised approach based on a prompt and precise diagnosis, and the implementation of appropriate interventions, including timely and adequate source control, appropriately tailored antimicrobial therapy based on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles and antimicrobial stewardship, and hemodynamic support with intravenous fluids and vasopressors for critically ill patients.
In a narrative review recently published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, Massimo Sartelli and colleagues described and analysed five basic factors to be always assessed for the optimal management of patients with complicated IAIs.
An individualised strategy should always consider the anatomical extent of infection, the origin of the infection, the patient’s clinical condition, the suspected microorganism involved and risk factors for antimicrobial resistance, and the host’s immune status.
The authors concluded that a careful and continuous assessment of these factors is essential to optimise outcomes for patients with complicated IAIs.
Reference
Global Alliance for Infections in Surgery 