Surgical complications during continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

In 30 patients (20 males and 10 females) undergoing CAPD, we observed 15 catheter-related complications - group A: leakage, dislodgement, slipping-out, protrusion of the external cuff, hemoperitonitis, and eight abdominal cavity complications - group B: umbilical, inguinal, incisional and diaphragmatic hernias. Group A complications which occurred in 30% of the men and 80% of the women (mean age 47.2 ± 9) were easy to manage; group B complications developed mainly in elderly males (seven men and one woman, mean age 61.4 ± 5); these required temporary change of mode of dialysis in three, and permanent transfer from CAPD in two. From this review we have concluded that loss of anatomical integrity of the abdominal cavity is one of the main factors which prevents the continuation of CAPD.