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Fever After Maxillofacial Surgery: A Critical Review

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Journal of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to review the pathophysiology of thermoregulation mechanism, various causes of fever after maxillofacial surgery and the different treatment protocols advised in the literature.

Discussion

Fever is one of the most common complaints after major surgery and is also considered to be an important clinical sign which indicates developing pathology that may go unnoticed by the clinician during post operative period. Several factors are responsible for fever after the maxillofacial surgery, inflammation and infection being the commonest. However, other rare causes such as drug allergy, dehydration, malignancy and endocrinological disorders, etc. should be ruled out prior to any definite diagnosis and initiate the treatment. Proper history and clinical examination is an essential tool to predict the causative factors for fever. Common cooling methods like tepid sponging are usually effective alone or in conjunction with analgesics to reduce the temperature.

Conclusion

Fever is a common postoperative complaint and should not be underestimated as it may indicate a more serious underlying pathology. A specific guideline towards the management of such patients is necessary in every hospital setting to ensure optimal care towards the patients during post operative period.

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Acknowledgments

The authors affirm that they have no financial affiliation (e.g., employment, direct payment, stock holdings, retainers, consultantships, patent licensing arrangements or honoraria), or involvement with any commercial organization with direct financial interest in the subject or materials discussed in this manuscript, nor have any such arrangements existed in the past 3 years.

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The authors deny any conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital, Maduravoyal, Chennai, 600 095, Tamil Nadu, India

    Amelia Christabel, Ravi Sharma, R. Manikandhan, P. Anantanarayanan & N. Elavazhagan

  2. Renai Medicity, Kochi, Kerala, India

    Pramod Subash

  3. Nandan Apartment, C-72, Sarojini Marg, C-Scheme, Jaipur, 302001, Rajasthan, India

    Ravi Sharma

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  1. Amelia Christabel
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Correspondence to Ravi Sharma.

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Christabel, A., Sharma, R., Manikandhan, R. et al. Fever After Maxillofacial Surgery: A Critical Review. J. Maxillofac. Oral Surg. 14, 154–161 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12663-013-0611-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12663-013-0611-7

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