Capillary Leak Index as a Prognostic Indicator for Post-Operative Abdominal Sepsis in Critically Ill Patients

Sepsis has been recognized as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Considerable advances have since been made into the pathobiology (changes in organ function, morphology, cell biology, biochemistry, immunology, and circulation), management, and epidemiology of sepsis, suggesting the need for continuous research.

Peritonitis can be classified by the anatomical integrity of the abdominal cavity. Primary peritonitis is associated with undamaged intra-abdominal cavity organs. It is also known as spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and is treated without surgical intervention. The source of infection is often hard to establish and is usually found occurring in infants and cirrhotic patients.

Secondary peritonitis is an infection of the peritoneal cavity after hollow viscus perforation, anastomotic leak, ischemic necrosis, or other injuries of the gastrointestinal tract. Tertiary peritonitis is defined as a serious recurrent or persistent intra-abdominal infection after the successful control of secondary peritonitis. Irrespective of the cause, several measures are available and accepted as improving the survival rate, the most important being the early recognition of intra-abdominal infection. Efforts to achieve fluid balance should be initiated immediately to replace any intravascular insufficiency. Vasoactive agents may be necessary to augment and assist fluid restoration.

The treatment strategy for peritonitis primarily aims at the stabilization of possible organ dysfunction by routine intensive care medicine. Low risk secondary peritonitis (localized peritonitis), Ampicillin/Sulbactam or Carbapenem can be used as a monotherapy, however in combination therapy 2nd generation Cephalosporin + Metronidazole or 3rd generation Cephalosporin + Metronidazole can be used. High risk Secondary peritonitis Piperacillin/Tazobactam or Carbapenem or Tigecycline can be used as a monotherapy. A combination therapy 4th generation Cephalosporin + Metronidazole are usually used. Tertiary peritonitis antifungal therapy in high-risk patients and empirical therapy should cover the probable micro flora and should be changed according to the culture results.

Capillary leak syndrome (CLS) refers to a syndrome of deranged fluid homeostasis, often observed in critically ill patients, CLS is frequently defined by excessive fluid shift from the intravascular to the extravascular space, resulting in intravascular hypovolemia, extravascular edema formation, and hypo perfusion necessitating further fluid resuscitation. In health, fluid exchange between intravascular and extravascular spaces is vital for maintaining the body's homeostasis. However, disturbances in this delicate equilibrium, can lead to the clinical picture of CLS.