New insights on preventing and managing peritonitis

Methods to prevent peritonitis are an essential component of any successful peritoneal dialysis (PD) program. Careful attention to training of the parents and child on the proper technique of PD and avoidance of manual spiking by using an assist device for the cycler, or use of the double-bag system for continuous ambulatory PD, should decrease risk of peritonitis from touch contamination. Secondly, reduction of peritonitis can be achieved through reduction of exit site infections by use of mupirocin antibiotic cream at the exit site of the PD catheter as part of routine care. If an exit site infection develops and is refractory to therapy, then the PD catheter can be successfully replaced as a single procedure, to reduce the risk of peritonitis. The third step in reducing the risk of peritonitis is to avoid repetitive episodes with the same organism. This may again involve replacing the catheter; as long as the effluent can be cleared, this again can be performed as a single procedure, thus allowing the child to avoid the trauma of hemodialysis. The focus in pediatric PD programs must always be on preserving the peritoneal membrane, and not on preservation of the catheter. With careful attention, peritonitis can become an uncommon event.