Zentralblatt für Chirurgie
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A high level of suspicion is necessary to detect postoperative sepsis in good time. It may be difficult to differentiate sepsis from normal SIRS in the postoperative setting. ⋯ Key recommendations include early goal-directed resuscitation of the septic patient, administration of broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy within 1 hour of diagnosis, and source control with attention to the balance of risks and benefits of the chosen method. In cases of severe abdominal sepsis the concept of relaparotomy on-demand has become most popular.