A Retrospective Review Of Lower Limb Cellulitis In A Regional Hospital In Ghana

Authors

  • S. Mensah
  • P. Maison
  • M. Morna
  • S. Cobbold
  • A.A. Duah
  • S. Debrah
  • R.A. Ganiyu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.60014/pmjg.v8i2.207

Keywords:

Cellulitis, Lower limb, Patients, Debridement, Ghana

Abstract

Background: Cellulitis is a non-necrotizing inflammation of the dermis of skin and subcutaneous tissues. Lower limb cellulitis is a common cause of hospitalization in Ghana but scarcely reported.
Objective: To document management and outcomes of lower limb cellulitis at the Ashanti Regional Hospital in Ghana.
Materials and Methods: Retrospective review of patients admitted to the Ashanti Regional Hospital with a diagnosis of lower limb cellulitis from November 2016 to October 2018. We reviewed patients’ clinical records for data on patient demographics, risk factors, clinical presentation, treatment modality and outcome of cellulitis. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.
Results: Eighty two (82) patients with lower limb cellulitis were admitted over the study period. There were 47 (57.3%) females and 35 (42.7%) males. The mean age of patients was 38.8 years (standard deviation 21.6065). Among females, the majority, 10 (21.3%) were in the 6th decade whilst the majority, 9 (25.7%) of males were in the 4th decade. All the patients presented with swelling of the lower
limb involving the left lower limb in 38(46.3%) and right in 44(53.7%) cases. The leg was the most common location involved 60 (73%).
The mean duration of swelling prior to admission was 5. 2 days (SD 3.196). Antibiotics treatment resulted in complete resolution in 29 (35.4%) cases and complications in 53 (54.5%), cases requiring surgical treatment in 31(58.5%) patients.
Conclusion: Lower limb cellulitis had a high complication rate influenced by duration of symptoms prior to hospitalization and antibiotic therapy.

Author Biographies

S. Mensah

Department of Surgery, School of medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Ghana

P. Maison

Department of Surgery, School of medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Ghana

M. Morna

Department of Surgery, School of medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Ghana

S. Cobbold

Department of Emergency Medicine, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi

A.A. Duah

Department of Surgery, Ashanti Regional Hospital, Kumasi

S. Debrah

Department of Surgery, School of medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Ghana

R.A. Ganiyu

Department of Surgery, School of medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Ghana

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Published

2022-07-12

How to Cite

Mensah, S., Maison, P., Morna, M., Cobbold, S., Duah, A., Debrah, S., & Ganiyu, R. (2022). A Retrospective Review Of Lower Limb Cellulitis In A Regional Hospital In Ghana. Postgraduate Medical Journal of Ghana, 8(2), 128–133. https://doi.org/10.60014/pmjg.v8i2.207