title: Clinical presentations of soft-tissue infections and surgical site infections.
abstract: Skin and soft-tissue infections that usually follow minor traumatic events or surgical procedures are caused by a wide spectrum of bacteria. Less frequently, the infections occur spontaneously, which often is clinically confusing and leads to delays in diagnosis. Most of the infections are self-limited and easily treated with local measures and/or antibiotics. Others are life-threatening, requiring prompt diagnosis and aggressive surgical debridement in addition to the wise choice of antibiotic agents to limit tissue loss and preserve life. Many survivors experience critical tissue losses that may require changes in lifestyle as well as major reconstructive cosmetic surgery. Involvement of antibiotic-resistant gram-positive microorganisms in these infections only increases the difficulty of their treatment and may have a significant influence on the ultimate outcome.
authors.affiliation: Tulane University School of Medicine, Dept. of Surgery, New Orleans, LA 70112-2699, USA. ronald.nichols@tulane.edu
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Nichols
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Florman
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects*; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents