title: Fever after maxillofacial surgery: a critical review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital, Maduravoyal, Chennai, 600 095 Tamil Nadu India.
authors.forename: Amelia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Christabel
authors.affiliation: Nandan Apartment, C-72, Sarojini Marg, C-Scheme, Jaipur, 302001 Rajasthan India ; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital, Maduravoyal, Chennai, 600 095 Tamil Nadu India.
authors.forename: Ravi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital, Maduravoyal, Chennai, 600 095 Tamil Nadu India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Manikandhan
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital, Maduravoyal, Chennai, 600 095 Tamil Nadu India.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Anantanarayanan
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital, Maduravoyal, Chennai, 600 095 Tamil Nadu India.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Elavazhagan
authors.affiliation: Renai Medicity, Kochi, Kerala India.
authors.forename: Pramod
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Subash
keywords: Drug fever; Maxillofacial infection; Maxillofacial surgery; Postoperative fever; Pyrogen