Assessment of Severity and Prognosis in Surgical Patients with Secondary Peritonitis

Within the spectrum of intra-abdominal infection, secondary peritonitis is the most common condition confronted by surgeons. The scores available to assess severity of illness are unable to reconcile the needs of the individual surgeon and the demands of clinical researchers studying these patients. Considering their aim, the medical scenarios and conditions for which they were devised, the manner in which the variables of interest were selected, and their applicability, this chapter discusses 11 of the scores most frequently cited in the MEDLINE data base. Considering the diversity of conditions, the moment and place of the evaluation, and the limitations of each score, the chapter makes suggestions for their use and invites further discussion in this changing field.