Outcomes of removal of peritoneal dialysis catheter at the time of renal transplant

Abstract

There is no consensus regarding timing of peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter removal following kidney transplant. We hypothesize that early removal of PD catheter reduces the risk of peritonitis. We conducted a prospective closed-loop audit to review existing practice in our department and determine whether a better strategy could be implemented. Simple descriptive and inferential statistics were used to generate results. Categorical data were described using frequency and percentage. Continuous values were reported as mean ± standard deviation. Between November 2016 and April 2017, forty patients had renal transplant with PD in situ. On average time to removal of PD catheter, posttransplant was 84 days. Four patients (10%) developed exit-site infection. Following departmental consultation, practice was changed to remove all PD catheters at the time of transplant. Between May 2017 and January 2018, twenty patients had renal transplant and 19 had PD catheter removed at the time of transplant. Of these, one required re-insertion. In the patient where PD catheter was left in situ, peritonitis was a complication. We continue to recommend PD catheter removal at the time of transplant.