Fever following orthopedic operations in children.
One hundred fifty-three orthopedic operations in 129 children were analyzed for the significance of postoperative fever (POF) as a predictive factor for possible complications. In 72% of the operations, a temperature of greater than 37 degrees C was recorded. In 63 operations (41%), the temperature was greater than 38 degrees C. Sixteen children had positive clinical signs that might explain the fever, and all of them had a temperature of greater than 38 degrees C. Duration of operation of greater than 1 h, clubfoot releases, open reduction of fractures, and spine fusion operations gave higher incidences of POF. POF indicates a complication only when associated with positive physical findings. A postoperative temperature of greater than 38 degrees C, therefore, mandates repeated physical examination, which is the most reliable method of discovering the presence of complications.
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009985:Orthopedics; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000150:complications