PMID: 6410527Aug 1, 1983Paper

The value of postoperative fever evaluation

Surgery
J Freischlag, R W Busuttil

Abstract

Evaluation of fever in the early postoperative period often includes a battery of diagnostic tests to determine the source of or to exclude a serious infection. In order to evaluate the clinical usefulness and cost effectiveness of the information obtained from these tests, the data for 464 patients who had undergone abdominal operation were reviewed. Of the 464 patients, 71 (15%) fulfilled the criterion of fever with rectal temperature of 38.5 degrees C or greater in the first 6 postoperative days. For 27% (19/71) of the patients with a postoperative fever, culture-proven infection was responsible for the fever. For 74% (14/19) of the patients with infection, the correct diagnosis was made based on clinical findings and confirmed by a single appropriate test. The remaining five patients with infection were diagnosed via a battery of test because of the absence of clinical findings indicating the source of their infection. Rote ordering of unnecessary tests resulted in an excess expenditure of $19,738, or $278 per febrile patient. We conclude that routine evaluations of fever do not alter the outcome of the majority of patients and are not cost effective.

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.