What are the indications for removal of a Peritoneal Dialysis catheter?
Removal of the PD catheter should be strongly considered in cases of the following:
• Refractory peritonitis, defined as failure of the peritoneal effluent to clear after 5 days of appropriate antibiotics
• Relapsing peritonitis, defined as redevelopment of peritonitis with the same organism or after an episode of sterile peritonitis occurring within 4 weeks of completion of therapy of the previous episode
• Repeat peritonitis, defined as redevelopment of peritonitis with the same organism more than 4 weeks after completion of therapy for the previous episode; this may also be an indication for removal given presumed similarities in cause to relapsing peritonitis.
• An exit site and/or tunnel infection failing to respond to recommended treatment with appropriate antibiotics
• Fungal peritonitis
• Peritonitis associated with the growth of multiple enteric organisms, particularly anaerobic organisms; the risk of intraabdominal pathology is raised in this setting