[Septic shock following abdominal operations (author's transl)].

Septic or toxic shock is a life threatening complication after abdominal operations. The etiologic analysis of our 102 patients showed the following conditions: 1. diseases, which have already preoperatively a high incidence of septic complications, 2. sepsis developing after primary aseptic diseases, 3. septis without any etiologic connection to the primary disease or operation. An initial standarised intensive therapy must start before any irreversible organ damage may occur. First aim of all surgical measures is the eradication of the source of infection. Early relaparotomy is the only possibility for correction of intraoperativ technical defects. Only by longstanding combination of intensive personal and technical support prognosis of septic shock after abdominal operations can be improved.