Peritoneal laceration: a rare cause of scrotal edema in a 2-year-old boy

Genital swelling is a common complication in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. It is generally caused by patent processus vaginalis. Sometimes peritoneal damage leads to edema shortly after the insertion of a CAPD catheter. The present paper describes peritoneal damage after one year of dialysis using a single (Toronto Western Hospital II pediatric) catheter due to erosion. A 2-year-old boy was admitted to the hospital with severe scrotal edema. Exploration of both inguinal regions showed no patent processus vaginalis. At laparotomy a 1 x 1-cm perforation was found at the back of the bladder, where the tip of the catheter was located. After closing the perforation and repositioning the CAPD catheter, the symptoms disappeared within 2 days; CAPD treatment was not interrupted. Peritoneal laceration is described as a cause of bowel perforation in CAPD patients. This case history shows that it may be the cause of genital swelling as well. The presence of the disks of the catheter may have contributed to this unknown complication.