Arch Surg Chicago
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Postoperative outcomes of 31 afebrile patients who had responded to treatment for intra-abdominal sepsis were compared based on the presence or absence of leukocytosis (WBC count greater than 10,000/cu mm) at the conclusion of antibiotic therapy. In 68% of the patients who had leukocytosis, postoperative septic complications developed within two months of their operation. In patients without leukocytosis, complications developed in only 8.3%. Afebrile patients who exhibit leukocytosis but have responded clinically to treatment are at risk for postoperative infection and multisystem failure.
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A grass inflorescence (flowering head) aspirated by a child is difficult to diagnose, and frequently cannot be retrieved by bronchoscopy. Of four pediatric patients with aspirated grass inflorescences, two had severe hemoptysis and the other two were septic at the time of diagnosis. Their chronic debilitation and bronchiectasis necessitated an eventual pulmonary resection, with full recovery in all four patients.