Specific antimicrobial treatment of surgical infections INFECTIONS

Abstract

The complicated patient with a surgical infection requires comprehensive antibiotic therapy with the collaboration of the surgeon, the infectologist and the microbiologist. Initial antimicrobial selection is a key point that defines subsequent evolution. De-escalation therapy allows decreasing the initial antimicrobial coverage spectrum while maintaining proper treatment for the patient and reducing the selection of resistant microorganisms. The appropriate use of antimicrobials includes the initial selection adjusted to the pathology, the assessment of individual and institutional risk to certain germs or resistance mechanisms, the choice of the correct dose, the de-escalation according to the bacteriological result and the constant re-evaluation of the evolution for new control of the focus, adjustment or timely suspension of the antimicrobial scheme.