Postoperative fever is common in post-surgical patients. It is estimated that up to two third of the patients suffer from postoperative fever. Post-operative fever may occur due to infectious or non-infectious causes. Non-Infection Causes of Post Operative Fever: Surgical trauma to tissues itself is a strong stimulus of cytokines release. Interleukin 1 (IL 1), Interleukin 6 (IL 6), Tumor necrosis factor alpha and Interferon gamma, all may release after surgery. Release of these cytokines after surgical procedure results in fever. Lung Atelectasis is another cause of post-operative fever. Certain drugs also tend to increase temperature. For example, serotonergic drugs, antidopaminergic drugs (cause neuroleptic malignant syndrome), Sulfa antibiotics, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Progesterone, Chemotherapeutics, anti-histamines, cimetidine among the many others may cause fever. Transfusion reaction is yet another non-infectious cause of post-operative fever. Others are; Deep venous thro...
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