Post-Op Pyrexia

Question 1

What are the potential causes of post-operative pyrexia

Answer 1

1-2 -Bodys response to surgery, respiratory cause, infection of indwelling lines such as Cannulas or central lines

3-5 - Respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection

5-7 - Surgical site infection, abcess, collection

Iatrogenic causes - Antibiotics, transfusion related reaction, indwelling lines catheters

Question 2

What is important in history about post-operative pyrexia?

Answer 2

urinary frequency, urgency, or dysuria, productive cough or dyspnoea, haemoptysis, chest or calf pain, or wound or cannula line tenderness.