Peritoneal dialysis after failed kidney transplantation; a case series with review of the literature

Abstract

Kidney transplantation is a definite treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, management of allograft dysfunction has remained a major challenge and some patients return to dialysis after renal transplantation. Studies showed that peritoneal dialysis (PD) results in a higher chance of survival and a lower risk of delayed allograft dysfunction compared to hemodialysis (HD). For this reason, this study explored the initiation of PD in six patients with renal allograft dysfunction in Tabriz Imam Reza hospital (referral PD center). This case reported the results of PD and incremental PD among these patients with failed kidney transplantation. Creatinine and hemoglobin levels, duration of starting PD, PD exchange, PD modality, immunosuppressive drugs mortality rate and urine volume were evaluated during the study. In conclusion, although re-transplantation is a gold standard therapy in failed kidney transplant patients, PD or incremental PD could be a suitable and home-based modality for preserving renal function and urine output in these patients.