<p>Background: A group of UK clinicians (under the auspices of the British Lymphology Society [BLS] and the Lymphoedema Support Network [LSN]) drew up consensus guidelines on the management of cellulitis in patients with lymphoedema in 2005 (available at: <a href="http://www.thebls.com" target="_blank">www.thebls.com</a>). Aims: To determine whether the guidelines were being followed and to assess the effectiveness of the treatment recommended in the guidelines. Methods: Questionnaires to be completed by patients after an episode of cellulitis were distributed by the LSN and BLS members. Results: 396 responses were received during the 18-month data collection period. The average age of respondent was 60 years. 86% were female and 55% had cancer-related lymphoedema. People treated at home received 42 different drug doses/combinations of 17 antibiotics. Only 13.8% received the recommended first-line antibiotic, amoxicillin alone. The median duration of treatment was 7.5 days (interquartile range [IQR] 7–14). 26.8% of people treated at home required a second course of antibiotics. 24% of the groups required hospital treatment. Conclusions: Despite the publication of consensus guidelines, most patients were treated with antibiotics different from those recommended as first-line and for a shorter duration. There was, however, no evidence from this audit that this affected the outcome. Declaration of interest: None.</p>
