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. 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.