Diagnosis and treatment of infection

Abstract

Over the span of recorded history, the occurrence of serious infection after injury has been the rule rather than the exception, with such sequelae of our interaction with the microbial world often resulting in death. For centuries, infection after traumatic wounding was considered a desirable outcome, as evidenced by the epithet laudable pus, which, once drained, was associated with wound healing in those patients who were able to survive both the inciting event and the ensuing infection. During the past century, the development and use of anesthesia, fluid resuscitation, blood transfusion, and hemodynamic monitoring were key advances that allowed surgical practitioners to carry out increasingly complex procedures. However, before the widespread application of aseptic surgical technique and the subsequent discovery and therapeutic use of antimicrobial agents, the evolution and performance of even routine surgical procedures was hindered by the frequent association with serious, often life-threatening infections. © 2008 Springer New York.