Evaluation and management of abdominal sepsis

Purpose of review The review focuses on the evaluation and management of abdominal sepsis. Recent findings A multitude of surgical approaches towards abdominal sepsis are practized in the world and may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. Despite decades of sepsis research, no specific therapies for sepsis have emerged. Without specific therapies, the management of abdominal sepsis is based on the control of the infection and organ support. Early clinical diagnosis, adequate source control to stop ongoing contamination, appropriate antibiotic therapy dictated by patient and infection risk factors, and prompt resuscitation are the cornerstones of its management.