Causes of surgical sepsis including bacterial translocation

Sepsis is defined as the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) associated with suspected or confirmed infection. As such, it is implicit that two components are necessary in the causation of surgical sepsis; namely a source of infection as well as a SIRS response by the patient. This article reviews some of the better known causes and predisposing factors for sepsis, including that of the passage of viable bacteria or its components across the gut barrier in a process known as bacterial translocation (BT). A particular emphasis is paid to the development of sepsis in surgical patients. The common infections encountered in surgical patients are also discussed together with the specific definitions used in relation to surgical site infections.