Subfebrile fever after shoulder arthroscopy: Is it a complication or benign transient situation?

Abstract

We have evaluated 57 patients retrospectively who underwent arthroscopic and mini-open surgery in our clinic between 24.12.2009-31.12.2011. Twenty of 34 patients with impingement syndrome were treated by arthroscopic surgery and 14 of 34 patients were treated by arthroscopic and mini-open surgery. Seven of 23 patients with rotator cuff lesions were treated by arthroscopic surgery and 16 of 23 patients were treated by arthroscopic and mini-open surgery. Temperature over 37 °C was considered as subfebrile temperature. The difference between the highest temperature observed in the postoperative period and the temperature in the preoperative period was calculated and termed as delta temperature. The delta temperature in the arthroscopically treated group was found 1.2± 0.7°C and was 0.8±0.5°C in the other group (p<0.05). Time, gender and diagnosis were not a risk factor in the increase in the subfebrile temperature postoperatively. But the method of surgical treatment was found as a risk factor in the increase in subfebrile body temperature (p<0.021). We have seen increase in the subfebril temperature in both arthroscopically alone and arthroscopic+mini-open treated patients but the rise in the subfebrile temperature was higher in the arthroscopically treated patients compared with the other group. The surgical method whether arthroscopy or arthroscopic+mini-open is a risk factor for an increase in post operative temperature. © 2013 OMU.