Acute bowel obstruction: an unusual complication of chronic peritoneal dialysis

Two cases of acute small bowel obstruction complicating continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) are presented. In both patients, bowel herniation was through the peritoneal opening around the dialysis catheter. Both patients had sudden onset of symptoms and required an operation to relieve the obstruction. The second patient is now again on CAPD and has had no further problems. This complication of CAPD has not been previously described, and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute bowel obstruction in these patients. It does not, however, preclude continuing CAPD after appropriate therapy.