surgical complications of peritoneal dialysis

Last reviewed 01/2018

These include:

  • leakage around the catheter site:
    • avoid by applying a purse-string suture

  • blood staining of the dialysate:
    • this is normal, especially when treatment is commenced

  • poor drainage:
    • check position of catheter
    • consider adding heparin to the dialysate

  • mechanical effects of increased abdominal pressure:
    • abdominal herniae
    • haemorrhoids
    • oedema of external genitalia
    • back pain
    • hydrothorax

  • visceral puncture:
    • life-threatening but rare