Peritoneovaginal Fistula-unusual Complication of Peritoneal Dialysis

Abstract

The formation of a peritoneovaginal fistula was observed in a young female who had undergone continuous peritoneal dialysis for 17 months. The patient had experienced an episode of acute bacterial peritonitis two months prior to the manifestation of the fistula and showed evidence of progressive malnutrition. This case serves to illustrate the role of peritonitis and malnutrition in the development of transvisceral erosions by indwelling peritoneal catheters and emphasizes the need for modification of the traditional peritoneal dialysis catheter design.