Postoperative Noninfectious Fever in Degenerative Lumbar Spine Diseases: A Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis

Postoperative fever frequently occurs following lumbar surgery. However, limited studies have examined its correlation with lumbar procedures. This study aims to assess the occurrence of postoperative fever and identify its potential risk factors after lumbar surgery.

A retrospective study was conducted on 330 patients who underwent lumbar surgery from January 2023 to November 2024. Postoperative fever was defined as a body temperature of ≥37.8°C. Based on the highest recorded temperature, patients were categorized into 2 groups. Statistical analyses included the independent sample t-test and χ² test, while multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to determine independent risk factors for postoperative fever.

Thirty-nine patients experienced at least one postoperative fever during their hospital stay, which accounted for 11.82% of the total patient population. The peak incidence of postoperative fever occurred on the fifth day, with 33.33% of patients experiencing their first fever on this day. Furthermore, 69.23% of patients had a moderate fever, characterized by a body temperature ranging from 38°C to 39°C. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that obesity, the mode of operation (fusion surgery), longer duration of surgery, and prolonged postoperative retention of the drainage tube were independently associated with an increased risk of fever.

The findings of this study suggest that postoperative fever is a frequent occurrence following lumbar surgery. Factors such as surgery procedures (e.g., fusion), obesity, extended surgical duration, and prolonged retention of the drainage tube may elevate the risk of developing postoperative fever.