Exit-site infection in children on peritoneal dialysis: comparison of two types of peritoneal catheters.

OBJECTIVE: To review our experience with two types of peritoneal catheters, the standard Tenckhoff catheter and the swan-neck presternal catheter (SNPC). DESIGN: A retrospective study was undertaken to compare exit-site infection (ESI) rates using two types of peritoneal catheters in children. SETTING: Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. PATIENTS: During the past 10 years, 60 peritoneal catheters were implanted in 50 children with end-stage renal failure: 46 straight, double-cuffed Tenckhoff in 37 children (mean age 11.8 +/- 4.2 years, range 3.1 - 18.5 years), and 14 presternal in 13 children (mean age 10.6 +/- 5 years, range 0.3-17.7 years). The SNPCs were used in special clinical situations such as recurrent ESI with previous abdominal peritoneal catheters, obesity, presence of ureterocutaneostomies, use of diapers, and young age. For the statistical analysis, only the first catheter placed in each child was chosen: 34 standard Tenckhoff catheters and 9 SNPCs. INTERVENTION: In all children, peritoneal catheters were implanted surgically under general anesthesia by one surgeon; uniform operative technique and perioperative management was used. RESULTS: The mean observation time for 46 standard Tenckhoff catheters was 23.8 +/- 21.1 months, and for 14 SNPCs 25.1 +/- 27.0 months. The ESI rate was 1/17.4 patient-months (0.69 episodes/year) for Tenckhoff catheters and 1/70.2 patient-months (0.17 episodes/year) for SNPCs. The observed differences in ESI rates between the groups reported did not achieve statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of ESI may be lower with presternal catheters. Confirmation of these findings requires further prospective clinical investigation in large numbers of patients.     

Intranasal mupirocin does not prevent exit-site infections in children receiving peritoneal dialysis.

OBJECTIVE: Exit-site infections (ESI) in patients receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD) often progress to tunnel infections and peritonitis, sometimes requiring PD catheter removal. Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is the commonest cause of ESI. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of mupirocin nasal ointment in preventing ESI in children receiving PD. DESIGN: A single-center study. SETTING:Tokyo Metropolitan Kiyose Children's Hospital. PATIENTS: 47 outpatients [33 males; age 11.7 +/- 4.9 years (mean +/- SD)] participated in this study between April 1998 and March 1999 at Tokyo Metropolitan Kiyose Children's Hospital. The total study period comprised 399 patient-months. Nasal cultures were performed every month. Nasal carriers of SA applied intranasal mupirocin ointment twice per day for 7 days. We compared the incidence of ESI in the intervention group to 77 historical controls (48 males; age 7.6 +/- 5.1 years); the total control period comprised 2802 patient-months. RESULTS: 32 patients were identified as SA nasal carriers on one or two occasions (32/47 or 68%). The total period of SA nasal carriage was 95 patient-months (95/399 or 24%). The incidence of ESI caused by SA among all ESI cases was 20/28 (71%) in the study group and 115/151 (76%) in the control. There was no significant difference. The incidence of peritonitis caused by SA among all peritonitis cases was 3/6 (50%) in the study group and 17/42 (40%) in the control group, showing no significant difference. There was no significant difference in the overall incidence of ESI, peritonitis, or replacement of PD catheters between the study group and the control group. CONCLUSION: Intranasal mupirocin ointment did not prevent ESI. Further study is needed to develop an effective method of preventing ESI in pediatric PD patients.     

Exit-site infection during continuous and cycling peritoneal dialysis in children

A 10-year retrospective review of pediatric patients on peritoneal dialysis showed that 50 of 83 had 132 episodes of exit-site infection (ESI). Thirty-nine episodes were purulent. The most prevalent organism was Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus epidermidis was also common, usually occurring in purulent infections. Gram-negative organisms were responsible for 23 ESIs, with Pseudomonas species being the most common. Age, sex, concomitant primary disease type, length of training, dressing techniques, quality of daily dialysis technique, use of diapers, and pyelostomies did not affect the incidence of ESI. However, 40% of children with a skin infection from other sites had associated peritoneal catheter ESI. Thirty-eight episodes of ESI in 28 patients resulted in peritonitis; the main organisms involved were Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas species. Catheters were replaced in 13 patients with peritonitis, but there was no difference in the incidence of ESI before and after catheter replacement.     

Exit-site care with ciprofloxacin otologic solution prevents polyurethane catheter infection in peritoneal dialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE: Mupirocin ointment and antiseptics are standard cleansing agents in routine exit-site care of peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheters, but these agents have a deleterious effect on polyurethane devices. We assessed the effectiveness of topical use of ciprofloxacin otologic solution for preventing exit-site infection (ESI) in PD patients with polyurethane catheters. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Service of Nephrology of an acute-care teaching hospital in Galdácano, Bizkaia, Spain. PATIENTS: A total of 164 patients with polyurethane catheters inserted was studied from start of continuous ambulatory PD to the end of a 24-month period. Patients were divided into two groups according to exit-site treatment protocols. INTERVENTION: Patients in group 1 (n = 86) were instructed on daily exit-site care with soap and water only; whereas patients in group 2 (n = 78) cleansed with soap and water, followed by application of a single-dose vial of 0.5 mL ciprofloxacin (1 mg) for application around the insertion site. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Episodes of ESI and peritonitis. RESULTS: There were 67 episodes of ESI among patients in group 1 versus 9 episodes among patients in group 2 (p < 0.05), resulting in a rate of 0.41 and 0.06 episodes per patient-year of exposure, respectively (p < 0.001). Staphylococcus aureus ESI rate was 0.34 in group 1 versus 0.06 in group 2 (p = 0.001). Infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other pathogens occurred in 11 patients in group 1 and in no patients in group 2 (p = 0.05). Peritonitis due to S. aureus ESI was significantly less frequent among patients treated with ciprofloxacin (1 vs 9 cases, p = 0.001). Removal of the catheter was necessary in 5 patients in group 1 and in no patients in group 2 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Daily application of ciprofloxacin otologic solution at the exit site of PD patients with polyurethane catheters inserted significantly reduces the rate of ESI caused by S. aureus and other organisms, particularly P. aeruginosa.     

A prospective randomized study of the effect of a subcutaneously "buried" peritoneal dialysis catheter technique versus standard technique on the incidence of peritonitis and exit-site infection.

OBJECTIVE: A new method for implantation of peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheters was described in 1991. The distal part of the catheter is buried subcutaneously and exteriorized at the start of PD. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of such a subcutaneous rest period on the incidence of peritonitis and exit-site infections (ESI). DESIGN: Sixty patients were randomized to either the new method (B group; n = 30) or to not having the distal part buried subcutaneously (NB group; n = 30). Sixty-five patients (NS group) were not randomized as they had to start PD within 1-2 weeks after implantation. The Moncrief-Popovich catheter was used in the B and NB groups and a standard Tenckhoff catheter was used in the NS group. PATIENTS: Patients scheduled for PD treatment, judged not in need of PD for at least 6 weeks after implantation. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the cumulative probability of not developing peritonitis during the first 6, 12, and 24 months. The incidence of the first episode of peritonitis was 1/40, 1/26, and 1/33 treatment-months in the B, NB, and NS groups, respectively. The incidence of ESI was 1/103 and 1/95 treatment-months in the B and NS groups, respectively. The cumulative probability of not developing ESI was similar in both groups. There were no episodes of ESI in the NB group. The difference in the number of ESI between the NB and NS groups was significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Subcutaneous burying of the distal catheter segment prior to starting PD does not reduce the risk of contracting peritonitis or exit-site infection.     

Peritoneal dialysis for management of pediatric acute renal failure.

BACKGROUND: While the use of continuous renal replacement therapies in the management of children with acute renal failure (ARF) has increased, the role of peritoneal dialysis (PD) in the treatment of pediatric ARF has received less attention. DESIGN: Retrospective database review of children requiring PD for ARF over a 10-year period. SETTING: Pediatric intensive care unit at a tertiary-care referral center. PATIENTS: Sixty-three children without previously known underlying renal disease who required PD for treatment of ARF. RESULTS: Causes of ARF were congestive heart failure (27), hemolytic-uremic syndrome (13), sepsis (10), nonrenal organ transplant (7), malignancy (3), and other (3). Mean duration of PD was 11 +/- 13 days. Children with ARF were younger (30 +/- 48 months vs 88 +/- 68 months old, p < 0.0001) and smaller (11.9 +/- 15.9 kg vs 28 +/- 22 kg, p < 0.0001) than children with known underlying renal disease who began PD during the same time period. Percutaneously placed PD catheters were used in 62% of children with ARF, compared to 4% of children with known renal disease (p < 0.0001). Hypotension was common in patients with ARF (46%), which correlated with a high frequency of vasopressor use (78%) at the time of initiation of PD. Complications of PD occurred in 25% of patients, the most common being catheter malfunction. Recovery of renal function occurred in 38% of patients; patient survival was 51%. CONCLUSIONS: Peritoneal dialysis remains an appropriate therapy for pediatric ARF from many causes, even in severely ill children requiring vasopressor support. Such children can be cared for without the use of more expensive and technology-dependent forms of renal replacement therapies.     

Methodological issues in assessing the incidence of peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis in children.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the distribution of peritonitis incidence and assess the usefulness of patient-specific peritonitis rates in children. DESIGN: 49 children on automated peritoneal dialysis (PD) followed during a 2-year observation period. SETTING: Single-center, academic children's hospital. PATIENTS: 49 children aged 2 months to 18 years; 24 prevalent, 25 incident during the observation period. Cumulative observation time was 639 patient-months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cohort-specific peritonitis incidence, median patient-specific peritonitis incidence, mean peritonitis incidence by gamma-Poisson (negative binomial) modeling, peritonitis-free survival by Kaplan-Meier life-table analysis. RESULTS: 68 new peritonitis episodes and 21 relapses occurred in 27 patients.The distribution of patient-specific peritonitis incidence was bimodal, with a large group experiencing no or very few episodes, and another cluster around 1 episode per 6-9 months. Overall cohort-specific peritonitis incidence was 1.28, median subject-specific incidence 0.99, and mean incidence according to negative binomial modeling 1.04 (95% confidence interval 1.02-1.06) episodes per patient-year. Median peritonitis-free survival time was 6.9 months. In those patients who developed peritonitis, subject-specific peritonitis incidence was inversely correlated with patient age (r = -0.42, p < 0.05) and duration of chronic PD at last observation (r = -0.42, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Since the distribution of peritonitis in children is non-Gaussian, the average risk of peritonitis is more accurately expressed by the median of the individual subject-specific peritonitis rates or by the mean incidence estimate obtained by the negative binomial distribution model. The assignment of a personal peritonitis risk to each patient permits risk factor analysis by routine statistical methods, even in smaller populations.     

Timing of peritoneal dialysis catheter removal after pediatric renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: A peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter is in place at the time of kidney transplantation in children receiving PD. Removal of the catheter eliminates the risk of catheter-related infections. However, the patient benefits from leaving the catheter in place if dialysis is necessary posttransplantation. There is currently no consensus on the proper timing of PD catheter removal after kidney transplantation in children. OBJECTIVE: To identify the risks and benefits of an in-dwelling PD catheter after renal transplantation in children. DESIGN: Retrospective single-center study of infectious complications and posttransplantation PD catheter use in 31 renal transplantations in 26 children. RESULTS: Peritoneal dialysis catheters were used postoperatively in 13 of the 31 transplantations. In 12 instances the catheter was needed during the first month after transplantation, and 2 of the patients involved did not have a catheter in place when needed. Six catheter-related infections occurred in 5 patients posttransplantation, with only 1 infection taking place within 1 month after transplantation. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the need for catheter use occurs predominantly during the first month, while infectious complications usually happen later. This strongly suggests that PD catheters should not be removed until approximately 1 month after kidney transplantation.     

Chronic peritoneal dialysis catheters in children: a fifteen-year experience of the Italian Registry of Pediatric Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze data on 503 chronic peritoneal dialysis (CPD) catheters implanted between 1986 and 2000 in pediatric patients enrolled in the Italian Registry of Pediatric Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis (the Registry), comparing three different time periods: 1986-1990, 1991-1995, and 1996-2000. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: 23 dialysis centers participating in the Registry. METHODS: Data were collected from questionnaires filled in every year. The information for each peritoneal catheter included type, site and technique of insertion, exit-site orientation, exit-site care, complications, survival, and reason for removal. PATIENTS: 503 catheters were implanted in 363 pediatric patients aged younger than 15 years at the start of CPD: 97 catheters in patients under 2 years of age, 67 in patients aged 2-5 years, and 339 in patients over 5 years of age. Mean patient age at onset of CPD was 8.0 +/- 5.1 years. All catheters were surgically implanted and omentectomy was performed in 82.4% of cases. The catheters used were Tenckhoff [468 (93.0%): 443 double cuff, 25 single cuff] and double-cuffed Valli [35 (7.0%)]. The entry site was in the midline in 153 cases (30.4%) and paramedian in 350 (69.6%). RESULTS: During 9048 dialysis-months we observed 451 catheter-related complications, yielding an incidence of 1 episode/20.1 CPD-months: 330 catheter infections (exit-site and/or tunnel infections), 26 leakages, 26 dislocations, 24 obstructions, 22 cuff extrusions, 6 hemoperitoneums, 17 others. 171 catheters were removed due to catheter-related causes; exit-site and/or tunnel infections were the main cause for removal (75.4%), followed by obstruction, dislocation, outer-cuff extrusion, and leakage. Younger children (< 2 years) had a higher risk of infectious causes of catheter removal compared to children aged 2-5 years (p = 0.004) and over 5 years of age (p = 0.002). During the 15-year observation period, a significant reduction in the incidence of leakage was observed and risk of leakage was lower in catheters with paramedian entry site compared to catheters with midline entry site. Removal and replacement of peritoneal catheters during the same surgical operation was performed in 76.3% of catheter removals. Catheter survival rate was 78.1% at 12 months, 58.5% at 24 months, 43.8% at 36 months, and 34.6% at 48 months. No difference in catheter survival was observed in younger children (< 2 years) compared with the two other age groups: < 2 years versus 2-5 years hazard ratio 0.7, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 0.4-1.2; < 2 years versus > 5 years hazard ratio 0.8, 95%CI 0.5-1.1. CONCLUSIONS: In this survey, we observed better catheter survival in comparison with data reported by the Registry in 1998. Catheter survival improved especially in younger children (< 2 years), a group that previously had a decreased catheter survival rate compared to older age groups. In addition to the progressive increase in experience acquired by dialysis centers, this upward trend may also be related to greater use of double-cuffed catheters, with paramedian exit site, and a higher frequency of omentectomy.     

Minilaparoscopic extraperitoneal tunneling with omentopexy: a new technique for CAPD catheter placement.

BACKGROUND: Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is an effective form of treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease. Open insertion of peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheters is the standard surgical technique, but it is associated with a relatively high incidence of catheter-related problems. To overcome these problems, different laparoscopic techniques have been presented, being preferable to the open and percutaneous methods. OBJECTIVE: To introduce and evaluate the efficiency of laparoscopic omental fixation and extraperitoneal placement of the cuff-coil part (the straight portion) of the catheter to prevent catheter tip migration, pericatheter leakage, severe abdominal pain, and the obstruction caused by omental wrapping. SETTING: The study was carried out in the General Surgery Department, Akdeniz University Medical School, in Turkey. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between November 2001 and March 2005, the technique was applied in 44 consecutive patients (mean age 51.6 years, range 18 - 67 years) with end-stage renal disease. During this laparoscopic technique, the omentum was first fixed onto the parietal peritoneum, and then the catheter was introduced through the subumbilical trocar site into the posterior rectus compartment and advanced toward the symphysis pubis. The catheter was then inserted into the abdominal cavity, passing the peritoneal opening, which was prepared before catheter insertion. The straight portion of the catheter was located into the extraperitoneal area of the anterior abdominal wall. The curled end, which contains the side-holes of the catheter, was placed into the true pelvis. Catheter position and patency were verified under direct vision using a 2 mm telescope. RESULTS: All procedures were completed laparoscopically. Operating time ranged between 40 and 100 minutes (median 52 minutes). There was no intraoperative complication or surgical mortality. Peritoneal dialysis was initiated within 15 - 24 hours after catheter implantation. After a median follow-up period of 17.4 months (range 1 - 38 months), early exit-site infection occurred in 1 of 44 patients. All catheters functioned well postoperatively. There was no pain during CAPD. CONCLUSION: This new laparoscopic technique using an extraperitoneal approach with omentopexy for PD catheter placement could prove extremely useful for preventing catheter malfunction caused by catheter tip migration, pericatheter leakage, omental wrapping, and periodic catheter movement that causes abdominal pain in CAPD.     

Treatment of refractory pseudomonas aeruginosa exit-site infection by simultaneous removal and reinsertion of peritoneal dialysis catheter.

BACKGROUND: Patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) with Pseudomonas aeruginosa exit-site infection (ESI) refractory to antibiotic treatment often require replacement of their peritoneal dialysis catheter (PDC). The optimal interval between removal and reinsertion of the PDC is not known. There are relatively few data on the feasibility of simultaneous removal and reinsertion of dialysis catheters for the treatment of P. aeruginosa ESI. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the short- and long-term outcomes of all CAPD patients who had undergone simultaneous removal and reinsertion of their PDC for the treatment of refractory P. aeruginosa ESI in our hospital between January 1994 and December 2003. During the operation, the old catheter was removed first and a new catheter was inserted into the opposite side of the abdomen. All patients received 7 days of antibiotic therapy postoperatively. CAPD was resumed after 2 weeks of intermittent peritoneal dialysis. RESULTS: Over a 10-year period, 37 CAPD patients underwent the operation. Mean age of the patients was 59.5 +/- 10.9 years. The interval between the diagnosis of ESI and the operation was 16.7 +/- 6.9 weeks. The patients received 7.6 +/- 2.5 weeks of antibiotic treatment before the procedure. Early postoperative complications were uncommon. None of the patients developed ESI within 4 weeks after the operation. At 1 year after the operation, 3 patients (8%) had developed recurrence of P. aeruginosa ESI 24 - 40 weeks postoperatively. Peritonitis due to P. aeruginosa was not observed. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that simultaneous removal and reinsertion of the PDC is feasible in eradicating refractory ESI due to P. aeruginosa. This procedure alleviates the need for temporary hemodialysis and allows continuation of peritoneal dialysis.     

肾衰竭患儿腹膜透析管置入术及并发症临床分析

目的探索并完善儿童腹膜透析管的置入方法,减少术后并发症,提高透析效益。方法回顾性分析2015年1月~2018年12月北京大学第一医院儿童外科行儿童腹膜透析管置入术病例,分析总结手术方法、效果及术后并发症。结果共51例纳入本研究,依据置管术方式不同分为大网膜未切除组23例、大网膜部分切除组28例。未切网膜组采用经腹直肌内潜行置管手术方法,术后堵管5例,堵管率21.74%(5/23);大网膜部分切除组经腹直肌内潜行置管,并切除部分大网膜,术后无堵管病例,无二次手术病例,2组比较存在统计学差异(χ~2=6.749,P=0.009)。全部51例患者无术后感染病例。结论经右侧腹直肌潜行置管并切除部分大网膜,术后并发症明显减低,减少患儿多次手术痛苦,利于腹膜透析治疗顺利进行。     

Percutaneous Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Insertion by a Nephrologist: A New,Simple, and Safe Technique

♦ Background: Insertion of the peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter by a nephrologist has been encouraged by several studies. The ultimate goal is to provide safe, timely, and effective catheter insertion without an unduly long wait time or delay. The success of PD depends partly on the ease of catheter insertion. We developed a new technique for percutaneous PD catheter insertion by nephrologists. Our new technique, in addition to being easy, proved to be safe and to eliminate the need for the peel-away sheath.♦ Methods: Data were collected prospectively on all patients having a PD catheter inserted by a nephrologist using our new technique (40 catheters in 38 patients). All catheters were evaluated for infectious and mechanical complications.♦ Results: The mean duration of the procedure from skin sterilization to the end of insertion was 24 ± 3 minutes. No bowel perforation or serious hemorrhage was recorded. Poor initial drainage was recorded in 12.5% of the catheters (n = 5) during the 4 weeks after insertion. The incidence of early exit-site leakage was 2.5% (1 catheter). Episodes of exit-site infection occurred in 5.0% and 12.5% of catheters (within 1 month and by the end of study period respectively). Two episodes of peritonitis were reported by the end of the 12-month period. Catheter survival was 95.0% and 87.5% at 6 months and 12 months respectively.♦ Conclusions: Percutaneous bedside placement of PD catheters using our new technique is safe and carries less morbidity in terms of bowel perforation, catheter-related infection, and exit-site leak. In addition, our new technique appears to have a high success rate and to offer considerable savings in terms of operating time.     

Fluoroscopically guided peritoneal dialysis catheter placement: long-term results from a single center.

OBJECTIVE: Despite percutaneous fluoroscopy ensuring appropriate placement of peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheters, the efficacy of this method is not well known. Therefore, we evaluated our long-term experience with fluoroscopy-assisted placement of PD catheters. Patients and METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 134 PD catheters in 114 PD patients that were treated in the PD center of a university-based hospital. We evaluated complications related to PD catheters, causes for catheter removal, and catheter survival. We used the multivariate Cox proportional hazard model to identify independent factors related to PD catheter survival. RESULTS: Early complications related to insertion included 1 case of pericatheter bleeding; there were no placement failures. Early complications occurred in 8.5% of patients. Most late complications were migration and leakage, which occurred in 10.4% and 9.7% of patients respectively. The most common cause for catheter removal was intractable and recurrent peritonitis. The 12- and 24-month survival rates of the catheters were 80.0% and 74.9%. The most significant prognostic factor of percutaneous fluoroscopy-assisted PD catheter survival was late leakage (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the advantages of simplicity, minimal invasiveness, and relative safety, the survival rate of PD catheters placed using the percutaneous fluoroscopy-assisted method was comparable to that of more invasive methods. Percutaneous fluoroscopy-assisted placement of PD catheters should be considered when available, and may be preferred to other placement methods.     

Treatment of fungal peritonitis with a combination of intravenous amphotericin B and oral flucytosine, and delayed catheter replacement in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

BACKGROUND: Fungal peritonitis (FP) is associated with significant mortality and high risk of peritoneal failure. The optimum treatment for peritoneal dialysis (PD)-associated FP remains unclear. Since January 2000 we have been treating FP with a combination of intravenous amphotericin B and oral flucytosine, together with deferred catheter replacement. We examined the clinical course and outcome of the FP patients treated with this approach (study group). An outcome comparison was also made to an alternatively treated historic cohort (control group). METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective study. The clinical course and outcome of 13 consecutive episodes of FP occurring in 13 patients treated between January 2000 and April 2005 with the study approach were examined. The patients were treated with an incremental dose of intravenous amphotericin B to a target dose of 0.75 - 1 mg/kg body weight/day, and oral flucytosine 1 g/day upon a diagnosis of FP at 3.77 +/- 0.93 days from presentation. Replacement of the peritoneal catheter was intended after complete clearing of effluent, after which, antifungal chemotherapy was continued for another 1 - 2 weeks. Their outcome was compared with 14 historic controls that were treated between April 1995 and December 1999. RESULTS: Mean age of the study group was 58.7 +/- 13.2 years; male-to-female ratio was 2:11; 6 (46.1%) were diabetic. All FP were caused by Candida species (C. albicans, 2; C. parapsilosis, 8; C. glabrata, 3). Two (15.4%) patients died before resolution of the peritonitis. The dialysate effluent cleared in 11 patients (84.6%) after 13.2 +/- 3.3 days of treatment, but 2 patients died of acute myocardial infarction before catheter replacement. Nine patients had their catheters replaced at day 26.7 +/- 7.7 of treatment; all 9 returned to PD after a total of 31 +/- 12.2 days of antifungal chemotherapy. Reversible liver dysfunction was common with this regimen. When compared with the 14 cases in the historic control group (Candida species, 13; Trichosporon, 1), who were treated with amphotericin B, fluconazole, or a combination of the two, and the majority (78.6%) of whose catheters were removed before day 10 of presentation, the study group appeared to have a lower technique failure rate (30.8% vs 78.6%, p = 0.013) and similar all-cause mortality (30.7% vs 28.5%, p = NS), FP-related mortality (15.4% vs 28.5%, p = NS), and length of hospitalization (48.5 +/- 30.2 vs 57.0 +/- 37.7 days, p = NS). However, a significantly earlier commencement of antifungal treatment in the study group (3.8 +/- 0.9 vs 5.8 +/- 2.4 days, p = 0.012) could be an important confounder of outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Combination of intravenous amphotericin B and oral flucytosine with deferred catheter replacement appears to be associated with a relatively low incidence of PD technique failure, without affecting mortality in patients suffering from FP due to yeasts in this preliminary study. Nonetheless, drug-induced hepatic dysfunction was common; close monitoring during treatment is of paramount importance. The reasons accounting for the observed distinctive outcome remain unclear and further study is required to confirm the results and to investigate for the underlying mechanism.     

Peritoneal Dialysis for Children with Acute Kidney Injury in Lagos,Nigeria: Experience with Adaptations

♦ Introduction: International professional groups are supporting the training of physicians in developing countries in nephrology, including peritoneal dialysis (PD). This report documents the impact of such efforts in the provision of manual PD for children with acute kidney injury (AKI) in a public hospital in Lagos, Nigeria.♦ Methods: Medical records of all children with AKI managed with PD between July 2010 and March 2013 were reviewed.♦ Results: Seventeen children with a mean (SEM) age of 3.8 (0.8) years received PD for 0 - 18 days; about half were infants. PD was provided manually, frequently with intercostal drains as catheters. Blockage of catheters and peritonitis occurred in 4 (23.5%) and 2 (11.8%) children, respectively. Eight (47.1%) of the 17 children had resolution of AKI and were discharged from hospital. In 4 (57.1%) of the 7 children who died, PD was performed for ≤ 2 days.♦ Conclusion: PD for childhood AKI is feasible in resource-constrained regions with fairly good outcome. Blockage of catheter was the most common complication encountered.     

Chronic peritoneal dialysis in children with special needs or social disadvantage or both: contraindications are not always contraindications

♦ Objective: Our aim in the present study was to identify outcomes in children with special needs or social disadvantage, or both, receiving chronic peritoneal dialysis (CPD) treatment in a pediatric dialysis unit.♦ Methods: Among 110 children started on CPD in our unit during the period between November 1995 and November 2008, we identified 13 patients (8 girls, 5 boys) with major physical, mental, or psychosocial problems. Age at CPD initiation in the group with disability ranged from 4.0 years to 16.5 years (median: 7.5 years). Under lying diseases were vesicoureteral reflux (4 patients), neuropathic bladder and vesicoureteral reflux (3 patients), chronic pyelonephritis (3 patients), amyloidosis (2 patients), and Alport syndrome (1 patient). Challenges encountered were adverse family or social circumstances (4 patients), cerebral palsy (3 patients), Down syndrome (1 patient), rectovesical fistula in conjunction with ectopic anus and previous multiple abdominal surgery (1 patient), blindness and deafness (1 patient), ventriculoperitoneal shunt (1 patient), colostomy and malnutrition (1 patient), and mental retardation and blindness (1 patient). All catheters were implanted percutaneously.♦ Results: Median duration of dialysis was 18 months (range: 6 - 124 months). The frequency of peritonitis was not different between children with and without disability (p > 0.05). In children with disability compared with children without disability, the frequencies of catheter-related infections (1 episode/79.3 patient-months vs 1 episode/32.4 patient-months) and of catheter-related non-infectious complications (1 episode/238 patient-months vs 1 episode/115.7 patient-months) were lower (p < 0.05). Chronic peritoneal dialysis was terminated in 5 children (for renal transplantation in 3, switch to hemodialysis in 1, death in 1).♦ Conclusions: Our results suggest that, with appropriate family support and an experienced multidisciplinary team, CPD can be effectively performed in children with special needs or social disadvantage, or both.     

Long-term peritoneal dialysis is a risk factor of sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis for children.

OBJECTIVE: Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) is a clinical syndrome with a high mortality rate and is a serious complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). Peritoneal sclerosis (PS) is a histological diagnosis. PS is usually observed in the peritoneal specimens of patients with SEP. Avoiding SEP is considered to be extremely important for pediatric patients who may require long-term PD. In this study, the characteristics of patients with PS were investigated to determine when to perform peritoneal biopsies and how long PD can be performed safely. DESIGN: A retrospective single-center study. SETTING: Tokyo Metropolitan Kiyose Children's Hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 109 children younger than 16 years have received chronic PD in our unit since 1981. Among these children, 16 patients had been on PD for more than 5 years (mean 7.4+/-2.5 years) from May 1992 to March 1999. Peritoneal biopsies were performed in 14 of the 16 patients, who were divided into two groups based on the histological diagnoses: a PS and a peritoneal fibrosis (PF) group. RESULTS: The 14 patients were on PD for a mean of 7.8+/-2.5 years. There were 8 patients with PS and 6 patients with PF. SEP was observed in 2 patients in the PS group. The risk of PS increased with the duration of PD: 57% (8/14) > 5 years, 80% (4/5) > 8 years, and 100% (3/3) > 10 years. All patients in the PS group showed both peritoneal calcifications on abdominal CT scan and poor ultrafiltration at the time of diagnoses. CONCLUSION: Long-term PD was the important risk factor of SEP. If both peritoneal calcification on abdominal CT scan and poor ultrafiltration are observed in a patient on PD more than 5 years, a peritoneal biopsy should be performed. If PS is detected, PD should be discontinued.     

Fibrin glue used successfully in peritoneal dialysis catheter leakage in children.

BACKGROUND: Acute renal failure in infants and small children is generally treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD). Dialysis has to be started immediately after catheter implantation. Early dialysate leakage can complicate the effectiveness of dialysis. Fibrin glue applied to the external part of the tunnel may stop dialysate leakage and eliminate the need for surgical intervention. The use of fibrin glue in the treatment of PD catheter leakage in children was studied. METHODS: Fibrin glue was used in 8 children (age 0.8 - 57 months) on PD in whom dialysate leakage was seen during the first 24 to 48 hours after catheter insertion.The dialysis volume initially administered was 20 mL/kg body weight. Fibrin glue (1 mL) was applied to the external part of the subcutaneous catheter tunnel through the exit site, as close to the cuff as possible. The occurrence of dialysate leakage and complications such as exit-site or tunnel infection and peritonitis were evaluated. RESULTS: Nine single-cuff straight Tenckhoff catheters were implanted in 8 children. In 5 cases, no subcutaneous tunnel was created. One child had catheter replacement due to obstruction of the catheter; on both occasions, catheter leakage was seen and treated with fibrin glue. In all 8 patients, no relapse of dialysate leakage was seen after application of the fibrin glue. During the time of PD, exit-site infections, tunnel infections, and peritonitis did not occur. CONCLUSION: Fibrin glue is a successful, simple, and safe substance for the treatment of peritoneal dialysate leakage in infants and small children with acute renal failure treated with PD.     

Peritoneal accumulation of AGE and peritoneal membrane permeability.

BACKGROUND: In continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), the peritoneal membrane is continuously exposed to high-glucose-containing dialysis solutions. Abnormally high glucose concentration in the peritoneal cavity may enhance advanced glycosylation end-product (AGE) formation and accumulation in the peritoneum. Increased AGE accumulation in the peritoneum, decreased ultrafiltration volume, and increased peritoneal permeability in long-term dialysis patients have been reported. AIM: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the relation between peritoneal membrane permeability and peritoneal accumulation of AGE. METHODS: Peritoneal membrane permeability was evaluated by peritoneal equilibration test (PET) using dialysis solutions containing 4.25% glucose. Serum, dialysate, and peritoneal tissue levels of AGE were measured by ELISA method using polyclonal anti-AGE antibody. Peritoneal biopsy was performed during peritoneal catheter insertion [new group (group N), n = 18] and removal [long-term group (group LT), n = 10]. Peritoneal catheters were removed due to exit-site infection not extended into the internal cuff (n = 6) and ultrafiltration failure (n = 4) after 51.6+/-31.5 months (13 - 101 months) of dialysis. PET data obtained within 3 months after the initiation of CAPD or before catheter removal were included in this study. Ten patients in group N and 4 patients in group LT were diabetic. Patients in group LT were significantly younger (46.5+/-11.1 years vs 57.5+/-1.3 years) and experienced more episodes of peritonitis (3.5+/-2.1 vs 0.2+/-0.7) than group N. RESULTS: Peritoneal tissue AGE level in group LT was significantly higher than in group N, in both nondiabetic (0.187+/-0.108 U/mg vs 0.093+/-0.08 U/mg of hydroxyproline, p < 0.03) and diabetic patients (0.384+/-0.035 U/mg vs 0.152+/-0.082 U/mg of hydroxyproline, p < 0.03), while serum and dialysate levels did not differ between the groups in both nondiabetic and diabetic patients. Drain volume (2600+/-237 mL vs 2766+/-222 mL, p = 0.07) and D4/D0 glucose (0.229+/-0.066 vs 0.298+/-0.081, p < 0.009) were lower, and D4/P4 creatinine (0.807+/-0.100 vs 0.653+/-0.144, p< 0.0001) and D1/P1 sodium (0.886+/-0.040 vs 0.822+/-0.032, p < 0.0003) were significantly higher in group LT than in group N. On linear regression analysis, AGE level in the peritoneum was directly correlated with duration of CAPD (r = 0.476, p = 0.012), number of peritonitis episodes (r = 0.433, p = 0.0215), D4/P4 creatinine (r = 0.546, p < 0.027), and D1/P1 sodium (r = 0.422, p = 0.0254), and inversely correlated with drain volume (r = 0.432, p = 0.022) and D4/D0 glucose (r = 0.552, p < 0.0023). AGE level in the peritoneal tissue and dialysate were significantly higher in diabetics than in nondiabetics in group LT, while these differences were not found in group N. Serum AGE level did not differ between nondiabetics and diabetics in either group N or group LT. Drain volume and D4/D0 glucose were lower and D4/P4 creatinine and D1/P1 sodium higher in diabetics than in nondiabetics in both groups. CONCLUSION: Peritoneal accumulation of AGE increased with time on CAPD and number of peritonitis episodes, and was directly related with peritoneal permeability. Peritoneal AGE accumulation and peritoneal permeability in diabetic patients were higher than in nondiabetic patients from the beginning of CAPD.