Abstract
Major indications for peritoneal dialysis catheter removal include chronic exit-site infection (ESI) or tunnel infection (TI). No consensus on the optimal treatment of these infections in children exists. During the last 10 years, 13 patients (7 females, mean age 56 months) on peritoneal dialysis were treated for recurrent ESI (N: 4) or TI (N: 9). Staphylococcus aureus (12 patients) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1 patient) were isolated. All patients had a double-cuff straight Tenchkoff catheter and underwent the shaving of the external cuff, with a new tunnel tightly adherent to the catheter, and an exit-site in the opposite abdominal region. A mean follow-up of 31 months/catheter demonstrated no recurrence of ESI and TI. Little pediatric experience with cuff shaving exists: reported catheter salvage rates are 48-100%. In our experience, good results were obtained by shaving off the external cuff and re-creating a new tunnel, with a different course, strictly adherent to the catheter. This measure seems to guarantee an effective barrier against infections, while obviating the need of the external cuff. Sometimes, in case of recurrent ESI or TI, the external cuff may facilitate the persistence of bacteria. A conservative surgical treatment offers good results in children.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.