title: Should peritoneal dialysis catheters be removed at the time of kidney transplantation?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  : Delayed graft function (DGF) following transplantation necessitates support in the form of hemodialyis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD). However, post-transplant PD-related complication and failure rates are unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  : We studies patients who were on PD at the time of kidney transplantation over a 4-year period at two separate institutions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  : Of the 137 PD patients, 19 had their catheters removed at the time of transplant. Of the remaining 118 patients, 89% had immediate graft function. PD-related complications in this group included peritonitis (n=5), catheter-related infections (n=2) and emergency laparotomy (n=1). Of the 15 patients requiring post-transplant PD, 33% developed peritonitis and 20% had fluid-leaks necessitating HD. Overall, leaving a PD catheter in situ post- transplantation is associated with 7% rate of peritonitis versus 0% if removed (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  : PD catheter removal should be considered at the time of renal transplantation, as postoperative PD-related failure/complication rates are high.
authors.affiliation: Multiorgan Transplant Program, London Health Sciences Centre, Department of Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON;
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Alp
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sener
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Drage
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taqi
authors.forename: Sian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: Patrick P W
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Luke