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Description
Catheter tunnel infection (CTI) is a known cause of adverse outcomes in peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related peritonitis. Extension of exit site infection is the most common reported reason for CTI. We report a case of PD-related peritonitis due to a delayed surgical complication.
A man aged 54 years with a history of end-stage renal disease due to polycystic kidney disease, on continuous cycling PD for the past 5 years, presented with fever, abdominal pain and cloudy PD effluent. His abdomen was diffusely tender. Except for extruded external cuff, the PD catheter exit site was unremarkable. Serous drainage was noted 1 inch from the exit site where the surgical trocar had been inserted for laparoscopic PD catheter placement. The patient reported increasing drainage for 4 weeks prior to presentation. Laboratory studies were consistent with PD-related peritonitis with PD fluid white cell count of 470/mm3 and 64% neutrophils. Broad-spectrum antibiotics were initiated. The abundant drainage from the previously healed scar prompted further imaging. Interestingly, the abdominal ultrasound study revealed a 1.5 inch sinus tract connecting the surgical trocar insertion site to the inner segment of the catheter tunnel (figure 1). Although the patient deteriorated initially, removal of the PD catheter resulted in resolution of the infection and progressive improvement in his clinical status.
Learning points
This case demonstrates the importance of appropriate imaging study in evaluation of unexplained peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related peritonitis even without overt symptoms of exit site infection.
Sinus formation should be considered when a previously healed scar develops abundant drainage.
While laparoscopic PD catheter insertion is superior to open or peritoneoscopic surgery in terms of complications,1 ,2 if technically feasible, it is prudent to insert the surgical trocar as far as possible from the exit site and the catheter tunnel to avoid late-appearing surgical complications.
Footnotes
Contributors VC and AKo have procured the images and prepared preliminary manuscript. AKa has revised the manuscript and approved for final submission.
Competing interests None declared.
Patient consent Obtained.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.