Source control is the key to the management of surgical infections. Surgical decision making is based on the marriage of evidence from clinical studies, inferences from biology, and the elusive component of surgical experience; this book combines these three elements. We have recruited an international group of authors who are acknowledged leaders in the field of surgical infectious diseases. We have challenged them to integrate evidence with experience and an understanding of biology so as to create overviews that will help the clinician who must make the difficult decisions. And we have kept them honest by asking a second group of equally eminent commentators to provide supporting or alternative views - in essence, to recreate the kind of dialogue that takes place between clinicians discussing a difficult problem. This is THE manual for the authoritative management of surgical infections!

1 Introduction

I: Principles of Source Control
2 The Biological Rationale
Invited Commentary
3 Experimental Models of Source Control
Invited Commentary
4 Drainage
Invited Commentary
5 Debridement and "Peritoneal Toilet"
Invited Commentary
6 Device Removal
Invited Commentary
7 Definitive Versus Temporizing Therapy
Invited Commentary
8 Deciding on the Extent of Surgical Therapy
Invited Commentary
9 Consequences of Failed Source Control
Invited Commentary
II: Source Control in Specific Locations
10 Diffuse Peritonitis
Invited Commentary
11 Gastric and Proximal Small Bowel
Invited Commentary
12 The Colon
Invited Commentary
13 Infection and Trauma of the Rectum and Anus
Invited Commentary
14 Acute Appendicitis
Invited Commentary
15 Bariatric Operations
Invited Commentary
16 The Gallbladder and Biliary Tree
Invited Commentary
17 Pancreatic Infection
Invited Commentary
18 Liver Abscesses
Invited Commentary
19 Acute Mesenteric Ischemia
Invited Commentary
20 The Esophagus
Invited Commentary
21 Pleural Empyema
Invited Commentary
22 Soft Tissue Infections
Invited Commentary
23 Diabetic Foot
Invited Commentary
24 Hand Infections
Invited Commentary
25 Head and Neck Infections
Invited Commentary
26 Vascular Graft Infections
Invited Commentary
27 Bone and Joints
Invited Commentary
28 Incisional Surgical Site Infections
Invited Commentary
III: Special Problems
29 Timing of Intervention
Invited Commentary
30 Complications of Source Control
Invited Commentary
31 Reoperation After Source Control Surgery for Intra-abdominal Infection
Invited Commentary
32 Trauma
Invited Commentary
33 The Burn Wound
Invited Commentary
34 Organ Transplant Patients.-Invited Commentary
35 Tertiary Peritonitis
Invited Commentary
36 The Role of Laparoscopy
Invited Commentary
37 Pediatric Surgery
Invited Commentary
38 The AIDS Patient
Invited Commentary
IV: Evaluating the Adequacy of Source Control
39 Clinical and Radiographic Assessment
Invited Commentary
40 Monitoring the Course of Inflammation
Invited Commentary
41 Empiric Reexploration - Is There a Role?
Invited Commentary
42 Planned Relaparotomies and Laparostomy
Invited Commentary
43 Antibiotics as an Adjunct to Source Control: Revised Surgical Infection Society Guidelines for Antimicrobial Therapy of Intra-abdominal Infections
44 Epilogue.