Fever Is Common Postoperatively Following Posterior Spinal Fusion: Infection Is an Uncommon Cause

Seventy-two percent of pediatric patients undergoing PSF experienced postoperative fever, and 9% of patients had Tmax>39°. There was no significant correlation between fever and positive blood culture, urine culture, pneumonia, or surgical site infection. This information may help relieve stress for families and healthcare providers, and obviate routine laboratory evaluation for fever alone.