ABSTRACT

MECHANICAL COMPLICATIONS OF PERITONEAL DIALYSIS In general, most patients tolerate dialysis without difficulty; however, some will develop complications related to peritoneal dialysis. These can be divided into mechanical and infectious complications. The performance of peritoneal dialysis changes the physiology of the peritoneal space by causing an increase in intraabdominal pressure. As expected, the intraabdominal pressure increases in proportion to the volume of dialysate instilled (1,2). The increased intraabdominal pressure predisposes the patient to hernias, rectoceles, cytoceles, gastroesophageal reflux, hiatal hernias, hemorrhoids, pleural effusions, and leakage of dialysate fluid.