Thoracic and pulmonary infections

Abstract

All surgical specialties spend considerable effort to prevent lung infections from occurring and unfortunately even more resources once they have occurred. Due to the often immune-compromised status of surgical patients, the hospital environment, and the infectious nature of many surgical diseases, the surgeon must be vigilant in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious processes of the lung. This chapter outlines the diagnosis, possible preventive measures, and treatment of both common and less-common thoracic infections. © 2008 Springer New York.