[Transcutaneous oxygen partial pressure measurement in follow-up of patients with erysipelas].

In 24 patients with erysipelas, skin oxygen tension (tcPO2) was measured in the centre, at the border and outside the area of skin inflammation before, during and after antibiotic treatment. At the same time ESR, leucocytes and body temperature were determined. Skin erythema persisted over a period of about 7 days. Leucocytes and body temperature showed normal values after 3 days, while ESR was raised continuously in the first 3 weeks. Skin oxygen tension showed a good correlation with the clinical picture, but was still reduced at the end of therapy. About 2 weeks after disappearance of the clinical signs of inflammation, tcPO2 values were back to normal. The measurement of transcutaneous oxygen pressure can supplement the classic parameters of inflammation as a valuable tool for follow-up examinations in patients with erysipelas.