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Intensive and Critical Care Medicine pp 315–324Cite as

Intra-Abdominal Infections: Diagnostic and Surgical Strategies

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Abstract

Intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) are defined as an inflammatory response of the peritoneum to micro-organisms and their toxins, which results in purulent exudate in the abdominal cavity [1–5]. They have two major manifestations: generalized peritonitis and IA abscess. Peritonitis remains a potentially fatal disease and still represents a challenge for surgeons [3]. Although greater understanding of the pathophysiology of IAIs, improvement in critical care, and timely surgical and/or radiological intervention have reduced the mortality associated with severe peritonitis, the rate remains unacceptably high, ranging from 3% in localized abscess to 10% in localized peritonitis, 32% in diffuse suppurative peritonitis, and 70–80% in complicated mixed infections [1–5]. In an effort to improve the results of treatment of severe IAIs, especially of those resulting from anastomotic leakage or perforation of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), new surgical techniques have been introduced.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Istituto Clinica Chirurgica, Catholic University, Policlinico A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy

    G. Sganga & V. Cozza

Authors
  1. G. Sganga
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  2. V. Cozza
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department and School of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Catania School of Medicine and University-Hospital, Catania, Italy

    Antonino Gullo

  2. Department of Anesthesiology, Keck Medical School, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Philip D. Lumb

  3. Department of Critical Care Medicine, Hospital Centro Medico de Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela

    José Besso

  4. World Federation of Critical Care Nurses C/-Nursing Administration, Gold Coast Health, Southport, Queensland, Australia

    Ged F. Williams

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© 2009 Springer-Verlag Italia

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Sganga, G., Cozza, V. (2009). Intra-Abdominal Infections: Diagnostic and Surgical Strategies. In: Gullo, A., Lumb, P.D., Besso, J., Williams, G.F. (eds) Intensive and Critical Care Medicine. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-1436-7_26

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-1436-7_26

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-1435-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-1436-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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