Korean J Med.  2009 Sep;77(3):359-361.

Spontaneous fracture of a silicone peritoneal catheter

• Jung SW
• Cha JM
• Kim HJ
• Lee YM
• Byun SJ
• Song JH
• Ahn SH

Abstract

Major peritoneal catheter-related complications include pericatheter leaks, outflow failure, and infection of the exit site or tunnel. We experienced a rare spontaneous fracture of a silicone peritoneal catheter. A 39-year-old man undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) developed peripheral edema and peritoneal outflow failure. He had no signs of exit-site infection, trauma, or peritonitis. The kidney-ureter-bladder radiograph suggested a fractured peritoneal catheter. We removed the catheter in an emergency operation and inserted a new peritoneal catheter. No obvious reason could explain why the catheter had broken, although the patient's nephew was known to frequently jump on his abdomen Based on this case, mechanical stress should be avoided in CAPD patients with increased intra-abdominal pressure.

Keyword

Peritoneal dialysis; Catheter; Complications

MeSH Terms

Abdomen
Adult
Catheters
Edema
Emergencies
Fractures, Spontaneous
Humans
Peritoneal Dialysis
Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory
Peritonitis
Silicones
Stress, Mechanical
Silicones