To Study the Clinical Profile and Management of Cellulitis of Lower Limb in Northern India

Abstract

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the dermis and subcutaneous tissues occupying a large proportion of hospital beds. This study was conducted for analysis of patients with cellulitis according to their demographics and clinical presentation and to examine their comorbidities, complications, and its management. This observational cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Surgery at Santosh Medical College and Hospitals involving a total of 60 cases having cellulitis and other soft tissue infections of lower limb. Analysis of their demographic profile, management, and complications was done. Cellulitis is seen commonly in males, 46 (76.6%). The mean age of patients affected by cellulitis in the study was 36.4 ± 1.23 years. The most common site affected is leg involving more people in field jobs. The most common risk factor was trauma in 46.6%, and other factors were diabetes mellitus and smoking, while abscess formation was the most common complication observed in 36.6% of cases. A total of 56.6% cases were managed conservatively, while 43.3% cases required surgical intervention. Mean hospital stay in this study was 5.02 ± 0.23 days. It was concluded that cellulitis is subcutaneous, spreading bacterial infection is more common in males, and its incidence is highest in working age group population. Lower limb is commonly involved. Trauma, smoking, and diabetes are significant risk factors for development of cellulitis. Abscess is the most common complication. About 50% patients with cellulitis can be managed conservatively and the rest require surgical intervention.

Cellulitis in Hajj Pilgrims: Role of Environmental Temperature and Population Size of Pilgrims as a Contributory Factor

“…Cellulitis is fairly common and is usually treated in outpatient settings [ 25 ]; however, our study is in that our analysis comprised only cellulitis patients admitted to general surgical in-hospital care. In our analysis, the mean hospital stay was four days, whereas a study from northern India reported a mean hospital stay of 5.02 days [ 22 ]. For the most part, data on demographics, disease characteristics, in-hospital course, and outcomes reveal trends similar to those of non-Hajj cohorts [ 26 , 27 ].…”

“…In our case, the non-white ethnic bias as well as the broad ethnic make-up within each nationality precluded such an investigation. However, a recent analysis from northern India found the leg to be the most common site affected [ 22 ]. Our results, nonetheless, show a patient’s nationality, in part, mirroring that of the general pilgrim population.…”

Factors and clinical prediction score for complication development after cellulitis diagnosis in adult patients

“…In previous studies [ 13 , 14 ] cellulitis complications were more commonly observed in male patients. This was also identified in our study with a P-value of 0.047.…”

Evaluation of the Risk Factors for Cellulitis among Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease

“…Infectious organisms are identified in about 15% of cases; most of them are β-hemolytic Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus [ 9 ]. The infection can occur anywhere on the body, and the lower extremities are affected in most cases [ 13 ]. Cellulitis is usually thought to be caused by β-hemolytic Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus, and the presence of β-hemolytic Streptococcus and/or Staphylococcus aureus in the toe webs was strongly considered as a risk factor for cellulitis.…”

“…Cellulitis is usually thought to be caused by β-hemolytic Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus, and the presence of β-hemolytic Streptococcus and/or Staphylococcus aureus in the toe webs was strongly considered as a risk factor for cellulitis. Other risk factors associated with cellulitis include trauma, diabetes, smoking, chronic venous insufficiency, edema, destroyed skin barrier, previous history of bacterial cellulitis, existence of erosions or ulcers of the lower extremities, and a history of saphenectomy [ 13 , 14 , 15 ].…”