Prevalence and Management of Hernias in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Abstract

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of hernias before and after the start of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in patients with end-stage renal disease, and to evaluate the result of a proposed surgical treatment.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

University hospital.

Patients

122 patients who started CAPD from 1994 to 2000; 26 hernias were diagnosed in 21 (17.2%) patients.

Main Outcome Measures

Finding of hernias; morbidity associated with catheter insertion and hernia repair; recurrence of hernias.

Results

19 hernias were detected in 15 patients (12.3%) before they began CAPD; only 7 hernias were observed while on CAPD. Umbilical (61.5%) and inguinal (26.9%) hernias were the most common. Multiple hernias were detected in 4 patients. Simultaneous repair of hernia and catheter insertion was performed in patients with preexisting hernias. Under local anesthesia, most patients were operated on with surgical techniques of tension-free hernioplasty using a polypropylene mesh. Only mild postoperative complications were recorded: 3 seromas and 1 hematoma. No fluid leakage was found in our series. There were no long-term complications (infection or recurrence) related to the mesh.

Conclusions

73% of hernias in peritoneal dialysis patients occur before starting dialysis. Hernia problems in these high-risk patients can be safely solved using a careful technique with application of tension-free hernioplasty. Most may be repaired under local anesthesia with simultaneous catheter insertion.