The potential role of postbronchoscopic fever on the postoperative outcomes in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Background: Postbronchoscopic fever is a common adverse reaction in operable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. To explore the potential role of postbronchoscopic fever on the postoperative outcomes in patients with NSCLC. Methods: Patients diagnosed with NSCLC were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into two groups: fever group (postbronchoscopic fever) and normal group (without postbronchoscopic fever). Results: Seventy-five cases were enrolled. Twelve cases (16%) developed postbronchoscopic fever. The fever group was found to have longer postoperative fever time (1.9 vs. 0.8 days, P<0.05), more postoperative antibiotic use (3.4 vs. 2.5 days, P<0.05) and longer drainage (7.2 vs. 4.7 days, P<0.05). WBC counts of the fever group were higher than those of the no-fever group on the first (14.5 vs. 11.4×109/L, P<0.05) and third (11.0 vs. 9.2, P<0.05) postoperative day. Outcomes were different especially in the older subgroup (>60 years). Conclusions: Postbronchoscopic fever may be a predictor of longer postoperative fever, longer drainage and more antibiotic use in patients with NSCLC postoperatively.