Microbiology of Postoperative Sepsis: Pharmacotherapy, Antibiotic Resistance and Associated Mortality

Postoperative sepsis (POS) is a condition characterized by infection occurring after surgery, often caused by microbial contamination, with potential severe consequences including widespread inflammation and organ failure. This comprehensive review delves into the intricate landscape of postoperative sepsis, causative microorganisms, global incidence, mortality rates, and diverse treatment approaches across different surgical procedures. Microbial factors, ranging from contaminated instruments to the host’s skin flora, can contribute to POS. The prevalence of resistant microorganisms in healthcare settings amplifies the complexity of treatment and underscores its critical impact on postoperative outcomes. Effec-tive pharmacotherapy forms the basis of treating POS, where timelyinitiation of broad-spectrum antibiotics is significant. Antibiotic choices are tailored according to local resistance patterns, where drugs such as carbapenems, vancomycin, and linezolid are commonly employed for the treatment of multi drug resistant organisms. The multifactorial nature of POS, influenced by host immunity, antibio-tic usage, anaesthesia types, and surgical duration, is dissected to highlight areas for targeted intervention. The review culminates in a discussion of potential avenues for research and improvement in the management of postoperative sepsis on a global scale. KEYWORDS postoperative sepsis, surgical infections, microbial con- tamination, antimicrobial resistance, mortality rates, antibiotic therapy, global incidence