Leukocytosis at Termination of Antibiotic Therapy

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Abstract
• Postoperative outcomes of 31 afebrile patients who had responded to treatment for intra-abdominal sepsis were compared based on the presence or absence of leukocytosis (WBC count > 10,000/cu mm) at the conclusion of antibiotic therapy. In 68% of the patients who had leukocytosis, postoperative septic complications developed within two months of their operation. In patients without leukocytosis, complications developed in only 8.3%. Afebrile patients who exhibit leukocytosis but have responded clinically to treatment are at risk for postoperative infection and multisystem failure. (Arch Surg115:918-921, 1980)