Duration of antibiotic treatment in surgical infections of the abdomen. Pancreatic infections

Infected pancreatic necrosis, developing in the early stages of severe acute pancreatitis is a diffuse suppurative process and is difficult to eradicate. Pancreatic abscess, on the other hand, is a late appearing and easily drainable localised infection. Our rule of thumb is that the later the operation, the shorter the course of antibiotics. Following an operation for infected pancreatic necrosis we recommend a 5-week course of antibiotics. After drainage of a pancreatic abscess antibiotics are given for at least 10 days.