The Surgeon's Guide to Antimicrobial Chemotherapy

The management of sepsis has an essential role in surgical care and surgeons are major users of antimicrobial agents. Indeed, the development of antimicrobial drugs has enabled the development of modern surgery, free of the morbidity and mortality associated with septic complications. To use antimicrobial agents effectively, the surgeon needs an understanding of the microbiological and pharmacological basis of their role as well as their clinical use. This book is a manual of good practice giving essential advice on the choice of agent for the full range of surgical infections - taking both optimal clinical use and cost-effectiveness into account. The book provides a succinct and up-to-date account of those antimicrobial agents (including antiviral agents) more commonly used in surgery. It is structured both to review antimicrobial agent by type and by their mode of use in various surgical subspecialties. Extensive cross-referencing, tabulation and a good index ensure that the optimal treatment regimen for any given clinical situation can be found quickly. There is also an extensive bibliography. Antimicrobial resistance - an ever increasing problem worldwide - is highlighted and there are major sections on the use of antifungal agents and antibiotic use in immunocompromized patients. The book is designed as a guide to good practice for trainee surgeons and will also be useful to postgraduate and professional surgeons in all subspecialties faced with difficult surgical infection.

John E. Payne is Senior Lecturer, Department of Surgery, University of Sydney, Australia.