Intestinal obstruction as a complication of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis: a case report

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) has gained in popularity in recent years as a mode of renal replacement therapy. We report a 23 year old patient who was initiated on CAPD using curley Tenckhoff catheter in January 1992. In May 1993, the patient presented with features suggestive of intestinal obstruction. Plain x-ray of the abdomen showed that the CAPD catheter had migrated to the left hypochondrium. During surgery for catheter removal, it was found that the intraperitoneal cuff was adherent to the greater omentum forming a band over which the jejunal loop was kinked causing obstruction. Within 24 hours of removal of the catheter, the intestinal obstruction was relieved. The problem encountered in our patient is unique in illustrating the reversible mechanical intestinal obstruction relieved by catheter removal.