Der Chirurg; Zeitschrift für alle Gebiete der operativen Medizen
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Severe sepsis and septic shock have an increasing incidence and unchanged high mortality. Early diagnosis is necessary to slow the progression of organ dysfunction and improve outcome. Early administration of broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy, early and aggressive hemodynamic therapy, and surgical source control are the most promising therapeutic approaches. ⋯ Starches for volume resuscitation, intensive insulin therapy (aiming at 80-110 mg/dl), and low-dose hydrocortisone are not recommended outside randomized trials. Recombinant activated protein C is one choice for certain patients. The German Sepsis Competence Network (SepNet) is currently investigating other open questions.
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Abdominal surgery is regularly followed by immune dysfunction that can last for several days. In case of septic complications during this period, there is imminent danger of mortality due to reduced immune function. This fact leads to classification of sepsis in regard to its genesis: spontaneously acquired sepsis type A is distinguishable from sepsis type B, which is acquired postoperatively. ⋯ A direct correlation exists between magnitude of immune dysfunction and complexity of the previous surgical trauma. For the first time it is now possible to study this phenomenon of postoperative immune dysfunction by use of an adequate animal model. Intestinal manipulation in mice fulfils the necessary criteria to serve as a model of surgically induced immune dysfunction.