A surgical girdle postoperatively may prevent pain and tunnel infections of peritoneal dialysis patients. Issue 4 (April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nilsson, Christina; Sperker, Wolfgang; Schien, Claudia; Isaksson, Malin; Stegmayr, Bernd G
• Is Part Of: International journal of artificial organs. Volume 43:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 225
• Page End: 228
• Publication Date: 2020-04
• Subjects: Peritoneal dialysis -- insertion technique -- wound healing -- leakage; Artificial organs -- Periodicals; 617.956
• DOI: 10.1177/0391398819882439
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0391-3988

Abstract

Aim: When performing acute onset dialysis after insertion of catheters for peritoneal dialysis, pain exists and tunnel infections may develop. This study investigated whether patients benefit from the use of a surgical girdle and specific dressing postoperatively to prevent pain and tunnel infections. Materials and Methods: In 85 consecutive patients, the development of tunnel infections was followed. The patients used a surgical girdle when they were in supine position from day 1 to day 3. The peritoneal dialysis catheter was fixed in a curvature avoiding stretch in the exit. A total of 53 patients participated in a retrospective questionnaire to evaluate abdominal pain within the first 3 days after surgery either with or without girdle. A visual analogue scale from 0 to 10 was used. Results: In 23 patients, data on pain both with and without the girdle could be recorded. Pain was relieved more when using the girdle versus no girdle (median day 1 3.0 vs 4.0, p < 0.001, n = 30, Wilcoxon paired). The development of tunnel infections during the latest 7-year period (exposure period 1487 months) showed a total of three episodes (one every 495 months) of which one caused a subsequent peritonitis, while the other two resolved after antibiotic therapy. Peritonitis episodes appeared at a mean of 37-month interval. Conclusion: The use a surgical girdle for 3 days postoperatively and a fixation of the peritoneal dialysis catheter in a curved loop relieves the pain and results in few tunnel infections and subsequent episodes of peritonitis.