Surgical Infections of the Thoracic and Abdominal Cavities: Etiology, Diagnosis, and Modern Treatment Strategies

Surgical infections of the thoracic and abdominal cavities remain among the most challenging and life-threatening conditions in modern surgery. Despite significant advances in antimicrobial therapy, imaging technologies, and minimally invasive surgical techniques, these infections continue to contribute substantially to postoperative morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, and mortality worldwide. Thoracic infections include empyema, mediastinitis, and postoperative pleural infections, while abdominal infections encompass peritonitis, intra-abdominal abscesses, anastomotic leaks, and postoperative wound infections extending into deep tissues. The pathogenesis of these infections is multifactorial, involving microbial contamination, host immune response impairment, ischemia, and surgical trauma.