ABSTRACT
Intra-abdominal infections generally occur after entry of enteric organisms into the peritoneal
cavity through a defect in the intestinal wall or a viscus as a result of infarction, obstruction, or
trauma. Abdominal, retroperitoneal, and visceral abscesses generally occur as a complication of
local or generalized peritonitis, secondary to appendicitis, diverticulitis, necrotizing enteroco-
litis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and tubo-ovarian infection, surgery, or trauma.
