Fever post fixation of a ...

A 42-year-old man underwent open reduction and internal fixation of a comminuted fracture of the right femur. He was doing well until the fifth postoperative day, when he complained of pleuritic chest pain and developed fever of 101°F (38.3°C), heart rate of 118 beats/min, respiration of 30 breaths/min, blood pressure of 130/85 mm Hg, and oxygen saturation of 85% on room air. His left ankle became oedematous, warm, and tender.