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What Causes High Fever Just Prior To Breast Reconstruction Surgery?

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Posted on Thu, 12 Mar 2015
Question: I am 60 y/0 female that is presently undergoing breast reconstruction after an implant ruptured. The first surgery and second went fine without complications. All I have left is a lift and filling in some scar tissue with fat. The surgeon is excellent. I am an RN and have worked in surgery. I went for the third surgery feeling fine . When they took my temp it was 102.6. They took it several different ways. Surgery was canceled for a week because a month prior I had the flu. So I go back this past Thursday, same thing over 102 temp. Blood work all neg. UA was neg. WBC negative. Can you tell me what you possibly would be looking for or what are your thoughts. Thank you for your time.
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Response to anxiety or stress /

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history.
Nice to know that you are a RN.
In fact you should have been in a better position than me and your surgeon the reason for elevated temperature in the Hospital as you have no fever at home; all the tests being normal ( all the tests ran known to man). I hope this includes the urine tests too.

Just for the sake of discussion:
Fever (Pyrixia) of Unknown Origin = PUO as we say in XXXXXXX we think of the following things by traditional wisdom:
-Close cavity infections like that of Liver, sinuses, teeth, mastoids, urinary tract and so on.
-Malaria and such things that may not be found positively every time they are tested for.
-Respiratory tract infections- again very difficult to find the evidence about.
And since you had a flu one month back, this is worth considering.

-You are giving a history of stopping the anti-depression medicines.
We have seen in many patients to into anxiety or stress particularly on repeat surgery and this can increase the temperature in many cases as a response. Once you are out of the situation, it becomes normal. You can say this too be over-active sympathetic normal response of the body.

Preoperative medications, particularly atropine or such injections are given. Although this was the routine practice in the past, whether this is continued in your part of the world or not is not known to me.
I hope your thyroid profile / urine tests are also done and normal.

I hope this answer helps you to get a clue about the raised temperature.
Please feel free to discuss further with relevant questions or if you feel that there is a gap-of-communication.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. T Chandrakant

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 19777 Questions

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What Causes High Fever Just Prior To Breast Reconstruction Surgery?

Brief Answer: Response to anxiety or stress / Detailed Answer: Hi. Thanks for your query and an elucidate history. Nice to know that you are a RN. In fact you should have been in a better position than me and your surgeon the reason for elevated temperature in the Hospital as you have no fever at home; all the tests being normal ( all the tests ran known to man). I hope this includes the urine tests too. Just for the sake of discussion: Fever (Pyrixia) of Unknown Origin = PUO as we say in XXXXXXX we think of the following things by traditional wisdom: -Close cavity infections like that of Liver, sinuses, teeth, mastoids, urinary tract and so on. -Malaria and such things that may not be found positively every time they are tested for. -Respiratory tract infections- again very difficult to find the evidence about. And since you had a flu one month back, this is worth considering. -You are giving a history of stopping the anti-depression medicines. We have seen in many patients to into anxiety or stress particularly on repeat surgery and this can increase the temperature in many cases as a response. Once you are out of the situation, it becomes normal. You can say this too be over-active sympathetic normal response of the body. Preoperative medications, particularly atropine or such injections are given. Although this was the routine practice in the past, whether this is continued in your part of the world or not is not known to me. I hope your thyroid profile / urine tests are also done and normal. I hope this answer helps you to get a clue about the raised temperature. Please feel free to discuss further with relevant questions or if you feel that there is a gap-of-communication.