Postoperative temperature and infection in patients undergoing general surgery

During a study concerned with postoperative hypothermia, Closs (1985) noted an association between patients' core temperatures in the immediate postoperative period and respiratory infection. In this paper, a small follow-up study is reported in which the relationship between postoperative temperature and the development of infection (respiratory, wound or urinary tract) was investigated in 41 patients who underwent general surgery. Aural and oral core temperatures were monitored at 270, 300 and 330 minutes following return to the ward postoperatively. In the week following surgery, patients were monitored daily for any sign or symptom of infection. Reference was made to the patient, nursing notes, medical notes and physiotherapist (when available). Seven of the 16 patients (44%) exhibiting an aural core temperature of greater than or equal to 37.8 degrees C between 270 and 330 minutes post-return to ward developed infection while five of the 25 patients (20%) exhibiting an aural core temperature of less than 37.8 degrees C developed infection. Oral temperature measurements (using ward mercury-in-glass thermometers) showed a very similar pattern. Overall, infection was detected in 12 of the 41 patients (29%) in the 6 days following surgery, 11 having a respiratory infection and one a wound infection.