Cellulitis in Venous Leg Ulcers Treated with a Hydrocolloid Dressing

Abstract

Objective:

To evaluate the development of cellulitis in patients with venous leg ulcers in relation to colonizing or infecting microorganisms and principles of ulcer dressing.

Design:

Patients were prospectively randomized to either a routine leg ulcer dressing principle or hydrocolloid dressing (HCD).

Setting:

Tertiary care university hospital.

Patients:

Fifty-seven consecutive patients followed for at least 6 months.

Main outcome measures:

Development of cellulitis related to isolation of microorganisms and the ulcer dressing principle.

Results:

Development of cellulitis was only correlated to the isolation of haemolytic streptococci, predominantly belonging to Lancefield group G (2p < 0.01). Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa did not contribute to the development of cellulitis. One infection per 198 days was found in patients treated with HCD compared with one infection per 290 days in patients treated with chlorhexidine ointment with a vehicle of carbowax polyethylene glycol (not statistically different).

Conclusions:

Hydrocolloid dressing treatment was safe. Cellulitis was caused by haemolytic streptococci.