Study of subcutaneous pressure in cellulitis of the leg and Its correlation to the management

OBJECTIVE: To correlate the subcutaneous pressure with surgical intervention in cellulitis of the leg. METHODS: An observational study with a sample size of 28 patients with cellulitis of the leg affecting one side. The subcutaneous pressure was measured in normal and cellulitic leg in recruited patients. The subcutaneous pressure was correlated to the management. Statistical analysis was done to find out the correlation between the increase in subcutaneous pressure and surgical intervention in cellulitis of the leg. RESULTS: The increase in subcutaneous pressure in cellulitic leg in group of patients who underwent surgery when compared to the group of patients who were managed conservatively was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: From this study, it is proven that the subcutaneous pressure is increased in cellulitic leg. The increase in subcutaneous pressure is associated with more local complications. The patients with high subcutaneous pressure were treated with surgical intervention on the same day of admission or later due to failure of conservative management. So the surgical intervention in cellulitis of the leg is correlating with increased subcutaneous pressure in cellulitis of the leg