tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968787219619380438.post1534027407629308413..comments2023-09-21T04:02:29.457-04:00Comments on Skeptical Scalpel: Does Atelectasis Cause Early Postoperative Fever?Skeptical Scalpelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13206922456661320751noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968787219619380438.post-61679446825160865792012-01-07T15:09:34.054-05:002012-01-07T15:09:34.054-05:00Anonymous,
Thanks for commenting. I believe the b...Anonymous,<br /><br />Thanks for commenting. I believe the best option would be to stop ordering chest x-rays for patients with fever in the early postoperative period.Skeptical Scalpelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13206922456661320751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968787219619380438.post-62986272650696048482012-01-07T00:23:15.814-05:002012-01-07T00:23:15.814-05:00Although atelectasis may not "cause" ear...Although atelectasis may not "cause" early post operative fever, I think it still wise to associate the two. If the early post op fever is not ascribed to atelectasis think of how many useless workups for pnuemonia will be undertaken after reviewing post op cxr read as pna vs. atelectasis. It seems to make more sense that fever post op would be caused by increased inflammatory metabolism rather than a random closing of alveoli, but by associating the fever with something that doesn't warrant an expensive work up, a costly goose chase is avoided. just my two cents on the matterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968787219619380438.post-17802502217187129452011-06-07T19:10:05.894-04:002011-06-07T19:10:05.894-04:00I'll give that a shot when the time comes, and...I'll give that a shot when the time comes, and I'll let you know.Thirstyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16112748581588448637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968787219619380438.post-336226540812435512011-06-07T12:37:12.419-04:002011-06-07T12:37:12.419-04:00Sorry for the delay in responding. Here is what I ...Sorry for the delay in responding. Here is what I would say. <br /><br />Many people believe and textbooks say that atelectasis is the most common cause of early postop fever. Recent research [see Chest article cited above & this article http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19667898] shows that atelectasis is probably not a cause of postop fever or even any fever at all. More likely early postop fever is caused by a measurable inflammatory response after the trauma of anesthesia and surgery.<br /><br />I hope this helps. Let me know if the answer works. Good luck.Skeptical Scalpelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13206922456661320751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968787219619380438.post-32442371689670258962011-06-06T17:33:54.792-04:002011-06-06T17:33:54.792-04:00I look forward to getting pimped on this during my...I look forward to getting pimped on this during my upcoming surgery clerkship. Should I say atelectasis and please the attending, or should I reference this article? What would you rather have a third-year clerk say?Thirstyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16112748581588448637noreply@blogger.com