Severe chronic intra-abdominal sepsis: a report of 3 cases and a review of patient management.

The management of three cases (one fatal) with extensive intraabdominal sepsis, is described. Management included metabolic and fluid control, intravenous nutrition (where feeding by the oral route is impossible because of multiple intestinal fistuli), maintenance and support of vital organ function, and infection control. Appropriate and timely surgical intervention may be life saving.