Hip surgery skin cellulitis

Of 583 erysipelas/cellulitis seen in our Department between 1981 and 1991, six (1.04%) were localized to the buttock and hip. Five patients had had a dynamic hip screw implanted for coxarthritis on the side where the skin infection developed. This does not appear to be secondary to superinfection of the surgical wound as the erysipelas/cellulitis occurred weeks (7 to 520) after surgery. The possible surgical compromise of the venous/lymphatic circulation appears to be the causative factor. In all patients, the course was satisfactory upon systemic antibiotic therapy and no recurrence was seen after a mean follow up of 28 months.