# Fever

Fever

About 40% of  patients develop pyrexia after major surgery; however, in most cases no cause is found. The inflammatory response to surgical trauma may manifest itself  as fever, and so pyrexia does not necessarily imply sepsis. However, in all patients with a pyrexia, a focus of  infection should be sought. The causes of  a raised temperature postoperatively include: /uni25CF atelectasis of  the lung; /uni25CF superficial and deep wound infection; /uni25CF chest infection, urinary tract infection and thrombophle - bitis; /uni25CF wound infection, anastomotic leakage, intracavitary collec - tions and abscesses. The possible causes of  pyrexia of  a non-infective origin include: /uni25CF DVT; /uni25CF transfusion reactions; /uni25CF wound haematomas; /uni25CF drug reactions. Patients with a persistent pyrexia need a thorough review . Relevant investigations include full blood count, urine culture, sputum microscopy and blood cultures. Summary box 24.6 Fever /uni25CF /uni25CF 

A very common problem postoperatively
Consider infection in the lung, urine and wound