Fever After Maxillofacial Surgery: A Critical Review

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this paper is to review the pathophysiology of thermoregulation mechanism, various causes of fever after maxillofacial surgery and the different treatment protocols advised in the literature. Discussion Fever is one of the most common complaints after major surgery and is also considered to be an important clinical sign which indicates developing pathology that may go unnoticed by the clinician during post operative period. Several factors are responsible for fever after the maxillofacial surgery, inflammation and infection being the commonest. However, other rare causes such as drug allergy, dehydration, malignancy and endocrinological disorders, etc. should be ruled out prior to any definite diagnosis and initiate the treatment. Proper history and clinical examination is an essential tool to predict the causative factors for fever. Common cooling methods like tepid sponging are usually effective alone or in conjunction with analgesics to reduce the temperature. Conclusion Fever is a common postoperative complaint and should not be underestimated as it may indicate a more serious underlying pathology. A specific guideline towards the management of such patients is necessary in every hospital setting to ensure optimal care towards the patients during post operative period.

Absorption fever characteristics due to percutaneous renal biopsy-related hematoma

“…[24] Moreover, absorption fever is often confused with secondary infection of hematoma, causing antibiotic abuse. According to the time distribution of absorption fever shown in Figure 1, the cases of fever reached its peak on the sixth postbiopsy day, and measurements can be taken in advance, by increasing the temperature measurement frequency.…”

“…Absorption fever can increase metabolism, increase oxygen and energy consumption, quicken the loss of moisture, aggravate the suffering and psychological pressure of patients, and extend hospital stay. [ 24 ] Moreover, absorption fever is often confused with secondary infection of hematoma, causing antibiotic abuse. According to the time distribution of absorption fever shown in Figure 1 , the cases of fever reached its peak on the sixth postbiopsy day, and measurements can be taken in advance, by increasing the temperature measurement frequency.…”

Complicaciones peroperatorias y postquirúrgicas tempranas en cirugía ortognática

“…Sin embargo, la cirugía ortognática no está exenta de algunas complicaciones, siendo las más frecuentemente reportadas: el dolor postoperatorio [10][11][12][13] , el edema postquirúrgico 2,14,15 , las hemorragias intra o postoperatorias 2,5,6,14,16,17 , las náuseas y vómitos postoperatorios [18][19][20][21] , la infección del sitio quirúrgico 5,7,10,14,22,23 , las alteraciones psicosociales 2,9 y la recidiva de la deformidad dentofacial 2,9,14 . Sin embargo, el índice de complicaciones es bajo y los eventos graves que amenazan la vida del paciente tras la cirugía son poco frecuentes 8,18 .…”