Cellulitis in the Postoperative Period: A Case Report

Relevance. Lower extremity varicose vein disease is the most frequent reason patients seek consultation with a vascular surgeon. The primary treatment for this condition is surgical intervention. Complications of phlebectomy include lymphorrhea, damage to major blood vessels and nerves, thromboembolic complications as well as infectious complications. The incidence of surgical site infections following open vein surgery ranges from 1.5 % to 16 %. However, no reliable statistical data on the frequency of severe infectious complications after phlebectomy are available. Despite their low frequency rate, severe surgical site infections are clinically significant, as their development substantially prolongs hospitalization, necessitates additional therapy, and may adversely affect overall treatment outcomes. Case descriptions. This article presents a case of cellulitis that developed in a female patient with varicose vein disease of the lower limbs during the postoperative period following phlebectomy. The appropriately chosen surgical approach, combined with targeted antibiotic therapy based on microbiological test results, led to complete wound healing and full patient recovery. Conclusion. Deep skin and soft tissue infections are rare complications of phlebectomy, yet they present diagnostic challenges, severe clinical course, and require prolonged treatment. When a deep subcutaneous infection is suspected in the surgical area, urgent additional investigations should be performed. The cornerstone of management involves early surgical intervention combined antibiotic therapy administered considering the results of microbiological tests.