Sclerosing peritonitis caused by disinfectant in a patient under peritoneal dialysis

An uraemic patient under intermittent peritoneal dialysis was found in the 9th month of treatment to present ultrafiltration drop and increase of low-molecular weight substances. Two instances of laparotomy for heavy abdominal bleeding revealed peritoneal thickening, laminar intestinal concrescence and diffuse haemorrhage. The patient died in the 13th month of treatment under symptoms of ileus. Other reasons excluded, sclerosing peritonitis was attributed to the formalin solution employed as disinfectant for the abdominal catheter. The causative factors are listed together with the chances of prevention.