title: Intraabdominal Infections in Older Adults.
abstract: Intraabdominal infections represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in the elderly population. Atypical presentations, diagnostic delays, additional comorbidities, and decreased physiologic reserve contribute to high morbidity and mortality, particularly among frail patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery. While many infections are the result of age-related inflammatory, mechanical, or obstructive processes, infectious complications of feeding tubes are also common. The pillars of treatment are source control of the infection and judicious use of antibiotics. A patient-centered approach considering the invasiveness, risk, and efficacy of a procedure for achieving the desired outcomes is recommended. Structured communication and time-limited trials help ensure goal-concordant treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berlin
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 4101 Woolworth Avenue, Omaha, NE 68105, USA. Electronic address: Jason.johanning@va.gov.
authors.forename: Jason Michael
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Johanning
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016330:Frail Elderly; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D059413:Intraabdominal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009017:Morbidity / Q000639:trends; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Acute abdomen; Atypical presentation; Frailty; Geriatric surgery; Intraabdominal infection; Surgical outcomes