Dialysate leakage in CAPD patients

Dialysate leakage may occur through the anterior abdominal wall, the genital organs or the pleural cavity during the early or late stages of dialysis in patients who are on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). This dialysate leakage can reach such an extent that CAPD treatment may need to be halted. Dialysate leakage through the subcutaneous anterior abdominal wall can be caused by a deficiency in the abdominal muscles. In this study, 3 patients on CAPD who had a dialysate leak through the subcutaneous anterior abdominal wall were followed. An exercise programme was offered to strengthen abdominal muscles. CAPD continued but volumes were reduced by 6-25%. Exercise programmes for abdominal muscles may be useful for the prevention of leakage through the subcutaneous anterior abdominal wall, without having to interrupt CAPD treatment.