Background. A peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter is in place at the time of
kidney transplantation in children receiving PD. Removal of the catheter el
iminates the risk of catheter-related infections. However, the patient bene
fits from leaving the catheter in place if dialysis is necessary posttransp
lantation. There is currently no consensus on the proper timing of PD cathe
ter removal after kidney transplantation in children.
Objective: To identify the risks and benefits of an indwelling PD catheter
after renal transplantation in children.
Design: Retrospective single-center study of infectious complications and p
osttransplantation PD catheter use in 31 renal transplantations in 26 child
ren.
Results: Peritoneal dialysis catheters were used postoperatively in 13 of t
he 31 transplantations. In 12 instances the catheter was needed during the
first month after transplantation, and 2 of the patients involved did not h
ave a catheter in place when needed. Six catheter-related infections occurr
ed in 5 patients posttransplantation, with only 1 infection taking place wi
thin 1 month after transplantation.
Conclusion: Our data suggest that the need for catheter use occurs predomin
antly during the first month, while infectious complications usually happen
later. This strongly suggests that PD catheters should not be removed unti
l approximately 1 month after kidney transplantation.