THE EFFECT OF ANTIBIOTIC-PROPHYLAXIS ON THE HEALING OF EXIT SITES OF PERITONEAL-DIALYSIS CATHETERS IN RATS

Objective: To evaluate the influence of intraperitoneal (IF) antibioti c (AB) prophylaxis on the quality of healing and infection rates of ex it sites in peritoneal dialysis catheters. Study Design: Twenty-one Sp rague-Dawley rats were dialyzed 3 times per day for 6 weeks. Dianeal s olution containing AB was used for all the rats during the first 5 day s. The animals were randomized on the sixth day into three groups: gro up A (AS-free after randomization), group B (AB for 3 weeks), and grou p C (AB during 6 weeks). Scores were given to each exit site according to the observation. Mean scores from each group were compared in an a ttempt to find significant differences between the groups. Dialysate a nd exit-site drainage samples were taken weekly for microbiology. Resu lts: Eight episodes of peritonitis were diagnosed, six in group A and two in group B. The most common bacteria causing peritonitis were gram -negative rods. The mean scores were not significantly different betwe en groups C and B throughout the study, even after the discontinuation of the prophylaxis. Group A, when compared to the other two groups, h ad significantly higher scores after the second week and throughout th e rest of the study. Conclusion: Intraperitoneal antibiotic prophylaxi s for 3 weeks after catheter implantation is an effective way to preve nt early colonization of exit sites, providing a better healing qualit y and lower incidence of catheter-related infection. Although the exte nsion of the prophylaxis for 6 weeks seems to be beneficial, it was no t statistically proven in this study.